Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First off I have a python (Macklots python, they have a higher metabolism) who takes f/t mice, and it's now clear that one a week isn't enough. At first I felt I should feed him the two, one immediately after another. But then I thought about how for humans (and animals) smaller yet more frequent feeding is better. What do you think?

How big/old is it?

He's under 2 years old, little over 3 feet, and not too thick since these species are more arboreal.

You're right! You're to the point, that 1 mouse a week is NOT enough for that animal! I'd go 2 small rats a week, maybe Tuesday, Friday? Something like that! That animal should be on rats! Maybe mix in a quail once a month!

MacLott's have no different metabolism than any other Liasis or Morelia. You need to feed it properly.

He's about as thick as a big cucumber at his widest area... 2 rats a week wouldn't be considered "power feeding" would it? With most animals feeding a bit less is healthier for them. I like the idea of giving him something different once in a while...

Appropriate sized meal, snakes do not get fed 2x a week in the wild. Particularly ambush hunters.
Mike

If your snake is less than one year old, I would reccomend you to feed he/she twice a week whith one suitable prey each time. As long as your snake get older you should feed it once a week. This is because if you are planning to breed, its not good to get them fat. Good lock.

According to my experience with other python species ( I haven`t kept macklots yet) there is no much more difference between feeding adults a large prey every two weeks and feeding smaller preys in a shorter schdule, for instance one a week. In both schedules the growth can be very similar. Takin in account the higher metabolism rate of Macklots, I would say that could be less stressfull to your animal being feed with only one prey twice a week rather than two preys at once as we do with colubris.

This was my logic behind wanting to feed them smaller meals even though it's less like their feeding habits in nature:

It seems to me one big heavy meal would be more stressful on their system, what with all the digestion, dealing with toxins from the meat etc... its just like overwork, extremes. Whereas smaller meals several times a week might be less "stressful." But then again, I could be wrong, that might be more stressful for their digestive system...