Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, here's the story...I bought 2 females from a young couple a month ago (4-1-05) the snakes weighed 373 grams and 316 grams. Keep in mind these snakes are mid 02 babies! (estimated DOB 7-02). Anyway, for 2 yrs the couple only fed them 2 mice each every 3 weeks! They didnt want them to get big (it worked). Since I have brought them home, the 373 gram girl now weighs over 500 grams, and the 316 gram girl weighs 444 grams. (empty weights). Is this a decent weight gain, and can I expect this to keep a steady pace? They have NEVER missed a meal, and eat every 4-5 days (probably would eat every day if I let them). They have never had rats, and I will be starting them on small rats this week. (I wanted them to put some weight on before I tried rats). Can I expect them to keep up this weight gain? (not because of the food switch, but just because they are starting to fill out like they should have been.) Thanks in advance!

Melody

I think so Melody, and once you switch them to rats you may even see a bigger weight gain, at least temporarily. Glad to see they have gotten back on track.

Quig

TREAT THEM FOR PARASITES!!!

Even with only two mice every three weeks they should be up around 1000 to 1500 grams. I have a couple that only eat mice once a week since they were hatchlings and they reached 1500 grams after about 2 1/2 years.

Either they were significantly more underfed than you were led to believe, they are younger than you were led to believe, or they have an enormous parasite load.

Either way, I would guess they could put on about 200 grams per month for the next 6 months or so.