Feeding question

topic posted Tue, July 25, 2006 - 12:46 PM by  Maya
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In the near future (when my birds sell) I will be getting a redtailed boa. I've been reading up on these beauties and I'm finding a discrepency. I read in some books and websites to feed neonates every 7 days. I also have read on websites and books to feed neonates every 14 days until they're 6 months old then feed them every 10 days.

I don't want to over feed my snake, but I don't want to starve him/her either. Which is the best feeding schedule?
posted by:
Maya
Georgia
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  • Re: Feeding question

    Tue, July 25, 2006 - 4:26 PM
    I start mine off every 5 days with a prey item about the same size or slightly larger then the thickest part of the snake.

    After the snake gets about 3 feet long, every 7 days gradually to about every 14 days by the time the snake is about 3 years old.

    From then on you may go to every 3 weeks to once a month, as long as the snake maintains weight. (Breeding females may continue to feed every 2 weeks)

    If the snake appears to be gaining too much weight ease up on the feeding or feed smaller rats. Absolutely you do not want to over feed, it causes all kinds of health problems for your snake.
    • Re: Feeding question

      Tue, July 25, 2006 - 5:34 PM
      Thanks for the tip..I'll keep that in mind. Luckily I can get different sized rats/mice at work so finding the appropriate sized food and amount won't be hard for me. Now I just need to sell my Cockatoos.
    • Re: Feeding question

      Wed, July 26, 2006 - 12:07 AM
      thats a perfect way to feed in my opinion.
      • Re: Feeding question

        Wed, July 26, 2006 - 12:09 AM
        are your cockatoos getting annoying with their noise? I have a VERY quiet Pionus Parrot along side my Braz. Rainbow Boa.. funny, two Brazilian exotic animals. The snake would just love to get her body around my parrot probably, jeez.
        • Re: Feeding question

          Wed, July 26, 2006 - 8:56 AM
          Well, My husband doesn't handle noises too well and my birds scream for attention. I had hoped since they were a pair they'd be more independant but that's not the case. I fortunatley only had them for a short time so I hadn't gotten too attached to them. Once they sell my hubby said I can have a boa. He said they fit all his criteria...relatively inexpensive, not messy, and quiet. Lol! He bought the birds for my birthday, had I known he wouldn't mind having a large snake in the house, I would have suggested that instead. Would've been much cheaper all around and less hassle lol!
  • Re: Feeding question

    Wed, July 26, 2006 - 9:01 AM
    I have another feeding question:
    When feeding your snake, should you always remove him and feed him in a bag or seperate box or is it okay to feed him in his tank?
    • Re: Feeding question

      Wed, July 26, 2006 - 4:57 PM
      I feed mine in a seperate enclosure. Two main reasons for this.

      1.It allows another opportunity to handle the snake. You should however limit handling just before and for a few days after feeding.

      2.To keep the snake from swallowing substrate. I saw recently where a large snake had swallowed an electric blanket with its dinner.

      I now use a substrate that the snake can't swallow and as you get on a longer time between feedings you should have plenty of opportunities to handle the snake on days other than the day you feed them. So now I do it because thats the way Ive always done it.

      Another thing to point out is, most of the times where people get bit by their snake feeding is involved. So if you decide to do this watch the snake very closely, have someone available to help with feeding and invest in a snake hook.
      • Re: Feeding question

        Fri, July 28, 2006 - 10:42 AM
        I feed in their enclosures. 2 of my balls I do remove to feed, but that is for other reasons. ive never had a problem feeding in their tanks, but that is a personal call. I also use substrate they cannot swallow.
        • Re: Feeding question

          Fri, July 28, 2006 - 10:48 AM
          I'm planning on using paper as substrate so I probably could also feed in the enclosure. I wouldn't have a problem with putting them somewhere else in the beginning but when my baby gets 9 feet long or so, I won't have another place to put him/her to feed him/her. Do you guys build another enclosure specificially to feed? Where do you feed your snake if not in the enclosure?
          • Re: Feeding question

            Sat, July 29, 2006 - 3:09 AM
            I feed mine in a large plastic tub, Once they are in there they know it's feeding time. Once they have gotton the prey down we carefully move them back to thier enclosure, sometimes using a snake hook. I have heard many herp people talk about feeding larger snakes in thier bathtub. LOL Well it would be easy to clean up.
            • Re: Feeding question

              Sat, July 29, 2006 - 8:54 AM
              Oh okay...I can see that. I guess you'd just make sure you buy a container big enough for the snake to fit in comfortably to eat. The tub idea is a great idea. You're right, easy cleanup lol. Where would one get a snake hook? I like the idea of removing the snake (for the extra handling time) but also so it doesn't associate you at the tank as feeding time.

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