when and what to feed

I just bought a baby columbian red tail boa last sunday and was told to feed it an adult mouse once a week. I went to buy mice and found out too late that there are two sizes of adult mice, large and small. I would like to know what somebody with more experience would suggest me feeding a baby boa that is a little under 2 feet and only a couple pounds. (So far I have fed it the small adult mice). Furthermore, how do you know when to get bigger mice or rats with the age and size of the snake? I want to know when to start feeding him the next size prey. Thanks for any help

[Larry Petty]

How big of a lump did the mouse make in the boa's belly? You want a slight lump to be visible. Once the prey no longer creates this small lump, you can move up to the next size prey.

For more detailed feeding and care information, read this care guide put together by Clay:

http://www.redtailboas.com/care/TheU...-Published.pdf

[Pandorasdad]

Originally Posted by Larry Petty

How big of a lump did the mouse make in the boa's belly? You want a slight lump to be visible. Once the prey no longer creates this small lump, you can move up to the next size prey.

For more detailed feeding and care information, read this care guide put together by Clay:

http://www.redtailboas.com/care/TheU...-Published.pdf

That pretty well sums it up. You may want to consider weaned rats. They are a little bigger that a mouse, and your boa will outgrow mice within the first year anyway.

Welcome to the forums! Post some pics of your boa!

[atreyu rokks]

Pretty much covered that... A good rule of thumb is to not feed anything larger than the thickest part of you're snakes body. Also check out the care guides this site has to offer (the link the others have provided you with). You will find much needed info there. Also to add.... some pics would be awesome, we at RTB love pics.... lol. Welcome to RTB by the way. -Mike

[dkboas09]

i have a couple boas just at the 2' mark right now i feed then small mice ... i have been thinking about switching to weaned rats (i have a bag of 25 from RP) but im hesitant because i think the rats might be to big but maybe when there mice are all gone ill switch over so 2 more mice each and then on to the rats and they should be about 26" or so for me then .... but my advise just stick with the small mice as long as they have a buldge they are fine and figure 1 time a week they will usually grow a couple inches a month (general rule of thumb i have been told) keep us posted and lets see some pics...