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Is this enough food for my new Boa?

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  • #1

    [General Care] Is this enough food for my new Boa?

    Just wondering is this is enough food for my new male DH Snow Boa:

    He is about 7 months old, and approx. 24" long and about 2" in diameter at his thickest point, maybe a touch smaller. He has been eating every 7 days, and I'm feeding him a frozen/thawed rat pup. He has not missed a meal since I got him on December 14th.

    Last night I noticed after feeding him that he was definitely looking for more.

    Should I try two rat pups at a time, or increase the size? Or is this just the way Boa's normally act?

    Thanks,
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Is this enough food for my new Boa?

    I make my man fat. Every time that stomach gets bigger I match that rat up to his size. Hes on rat fuzzies now. He gets so fat that he cant move. Top half can but not that big ol belly. When I first got him he was on pinkies and he ate all 3 and was still waiting so I bumped him up.

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    • #3
      Re: Is this enough food for my new Boa?

      Originally posted by motorhead1980 View Post
      Should I try two rat pups at a time, or increase the size? Or is this just the way Boa's normally act?
      You want to feed one appropriately sized prey per feeding. The appropriate size is equal to the girth of the snake (or a slightly larger prey that will leave small, but noticeable lump at its thickest point). As for wanting another, that is common place and is referred to as feeding response. Boas can often get defensive after so its best to leave them be for 48-72 hours after eating.

      Originally posted by britt3591 View Post
      He gets so fat that he cant move.
      You are doing more harm than good for your snake by feeding like this.


      Tim

      http://www.facebook.com/BoidsOhio?bookmark_t=page


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      • #4
        Re: Is this enough food for my new Boa?

        Thank you for the info. I figured it was a feeding response. It's just so different then my Ball Python. So wanted to make sure. I will continue with the one rat pup per week until he puts on some girth. As I feel the next size up which would be weened would be to large at this point.

        I also leave him be for a few days after feeding.

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        • #5
          Re: Is this enough food for my new Boa?

          I make my man fat. Every time that stomach gets bigger I match that rat up to his size. Hes on rat fuzzies now. He gets so fat that he cant move. Top half can but not that big ol belly. When I first got him he was on pinkies and he ate all 3 and was still waiting so I bumped him up.
          This is completely wrong advice to follow. Boas are very different than BP's when it comes to feeding. BP owners always think that Boas act hungry. In actuality we feed them so much more than a wild Boa would eat. Heavy feedings equal shorter life spans for Boas.

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          • #6
            Re: Is this enough food for my new Boa?

            Originally posted by britt3591 View Post
            I make my man fat. Every time that stomach gets bigger I match that rat up to his size. Hes on rat fuzzies now. He gets so fat that he cant move. Top half can but not that big ol belly. When I first got him he was on pinkies and he ate all 3 and was still waiting so I bumped him up.
            This is not a good practice. If you want to be a responsible owner, don't overfeed which is what you are doing based upon the information you just gave. There are people on this forum that have been owning and breeding boas for longer most of us have been alive and I listen to their advice as they are the ones that know best. A really good place to start is with the Ultimate Care Guide on here. Some of the information needs to be updated a bit but it's still one of the most comprehensive care guides out there.
            RedTailBoas Ultimate Reptile Community
            http://www.redtailboas.com/f110/download-ultimate-care-guide-pdf-version-3-a-31312/
            http://berkeleyknebel.wix.com/mississippimorphs

            Photo credit:Eddie Ard .....Banner Credit:Big PaPa Ernest

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            • #7
              Re: Is this enough food for my new Boa?

              Thanks again, I will continue to feed him one prey items per feeding as I have been doing. He is doing well on this schedule.

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              • #8
                Re: Is this enough food for my new Boa?

                Originally posted by zamora View Post
                There are people on this forum that have been owning and breeding boas for longer most of us have been alive
                Except for you. No one has been around that long


                Tim

                http://www.facebook.com/BoidsOhio?bookmark_t=page


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                • #9
                  Re: Is this enough food for my new Boa?

                  Originally posted by Morgans Boas View Post
                  This is completely wrong advice to follow. Boas are very different than BP's when it comes to feeding. BP owners always think that Boas act hungry. In actuality we feed them so much more than a wild Boa would eat. Heavy feedings equal shorter life spans for Boas.
                  Fatty liver disease can be a problem for ball pythons also.
                  Cause of death: fatty/ failed liver

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