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Q:
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How do I know if my snake is being fed large enough prey or too small prey?
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In Relation To:
Lars
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I recently adopted a 6-7yr. old male corn snake who is 4ft long, unknown weight (sorry, no scale yet). I've been feeding him one adult mouse every 8-10 days (usually 10). When i feed him however I do not see a large lump in his body, just a bit thicker girth wherever the mouse is moving though his body. It's barely noticeable, however. Some people have told me that one adult mouse is fine, others have said perhaps he needs a jumbo mouse or baby rat of some type. If I need to switch him to a larger prey like a baby rat I'm worried about him putting on too much weight due to the higher fat/meat contained in rats, because he was a bit over weight at his original owners. So I guess my question is, how do I know if im feeding him a large enough meal or not?
Attached Photos:
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Member Comment
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1/13/2011 9:22:30 PM
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aaron
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To me, your current feeding schedule sounds about right... that looks like a pretty big boy, he's got enough fat reserves to keep him happy. Although take into consideration I'm generally against overweight reptiles. I've had to put a chondro on an exercise routine because she never moved and was getting to be a fatty and reproduction was nonexistant.
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Author Comment
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1/13/2011 9:40:41 PM
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visceralrepulsion
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in that picture he was overweight because other pics, like the one on my profile of him being held he really looks overweight. those pics were from his original owner and it was that owner who made him a bit "hefty" haha. after that owner he went to a neglectful owner who didnt feed him for 2-3 months (the entire time they had him), so he lost a bit of his pudge. and now ive kept him on this strict diet. he doesnt show any signs of being underweight like his spine showing, and no sings of being overweight like spaces between his scales, etc either. so maybe he is getting enough food. i suppose time will tell....
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Assisted Answer
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1/13/2011 10:24:46 PM
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Miss Andrea
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It seems like a good ration to me as well. I would feed my adult corns a weaned to small rat every two weeks. But this was also getting them ready for breeding season. The female I had got one every week. She didn't get over weight either.
I think it's most important to use your best judgement. Everyone says to see the lump, but I think it's mostly for growing snakes and breeders. As pets, and being a snake that won't get aggressive from slightly less food, I think it's a good plan. If he slims down too much, you could go up to a jumbo mouse or a regular mouse every week.
I personally like rats, but that's just me. And I do have mice for the snakes that don't want rats. Right now though, they are sitting in my freezer because all of my snakes prefer rats.
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Member Comment
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1/14/2011 1:55:03 AM
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ScalesGoneWild
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+1 Aaron and Andrea.
Using best judgement is a great way to go about it, and it looks like he is doing just fine on the weight situation, so one adult mouse for now seems about right. When he starts to slim down a bit, then you should consider upping him to a weaned rat or a rat pup, depending on his girth at the time. :)
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Assisted Answer
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1/14/2011 1:57:55 AM
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shellboa
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Here's my way to tell. Feed him one, if he tries to eat you after that or seems to search for more right away, give him more. I feed up to 4 adult mice at a feeding for an adult corn snake. If he seems content with one, let it be.
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Assisted Answer
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1/14/2011 2:01:47 AM
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aaron
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Being opportunistic feeders, they can gorge to the point of death. I recall a study years ago of a garter snake that they fed frogs to, which it literally ate until it died. So their opportunistic feeding habits simply may not be the best gauge for them. Somewhat like humans. Put me in front of a brazilian barbeque, and I'm in a lot of pain at the end of the meal.
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Member Comment
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1/14/2011 2:03:20 AM
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aaron
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And I will add that my chondros will ALWAYS eat more during feeding, but I find it better to feed less, have them hunt and stretch their legs and cruise a bit.
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Accepted Answer
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1/14/2011 2:21:07 AM
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Saffleur
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Snakes are opportunistic feeders. they will pig out if you let him.
An adult mouse every 8-10 days for a corn your size loks appropriate. Even if there is no sizeable lump in them you're feeding them right. Once tey hit 5-6 years old they are pretty much maintenance. No need to make them larger. They'll grow how they are meant to.
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