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emmy c
Snake mite
Ireland
43 Posts |
 Posted - 12/09/2011 : 13:52:46
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Have my little brb just over 6 weeks now, she was 52g when I got her, weighed her last night just before I fed her and she is now 90g!!! |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 12/09/2011 : 21:44:31
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| In six weeks, Emmy? That's an *enormous* increase for that short of a time span. If I might ask, just to make sure everything is absolutely OK, what and how often are you feeding her? |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
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emmy c
Snake mite
Ireland
43 Posts |
Posted - 13/09/2011 : 18:46:12
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I thought so too! But I have been carefully weighing every thing I give her so that it is 15% of her bodyweight
Here is the schedule since I bought her:
25.7.11 purchased, (weight 54g)
31.7.11 shed
01.08.11 mouse fuzzy X 1 @8g
07.0.11 rat pink x 1 @10g (weight 58g before feeding)
13.08.11 rat pup x 1 @16g (a mistake i know now cos too big)
20.08.11 rat pink x 1 @10g
27.08.11 shed and fed rat pink x 1 @10g (weight before feeding 72g)
01.09.11 rat pink x 1 @6g and mouse fuzzy @8g
06.09.11 mouse fuzzies x 2 @ 6g and 8g
10.09.11 weight 90g post poo
11.09.11 mouse fuzzies x 2 @ 6g and 8g |
Edited by - emmy c on 13/09/2011 19:04:48 |
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Markni
Snake mite
United Kingdom
27 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2011 : 07:14:58
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I have noticed the same with mine, I first weighed her on 12th July at 69g, then weighed her 12th Sept at 111g. I am concerned this is too fast, and she will get fat. At the minute I have am feeding her a rat (10-15g) weekly. But she looks healthy and sheds etc fine, so not really all that worried.
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 14/09/2011 : 22:17:08
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I'm not a huge fan of the 15% rule, or of too-frequent feedings.
For meal size, I go by a two-step process: first the snake's weight (general cut-off rules to move up a size) and then prey-versus-snake girth (to fine-tune, as weights should never be absolute).
For meal frequency, I carefully limit feedings to one session per week for the first year, with the occasional week "off" even then -- they do not eat every five days in the wild!
My babies generally stay on pinkie rats til at least nine months of age, and some for more than year. Better to grow slow and healthy than risk a fat (and therefore much shorter-lived) pet. |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
Edited by - Snakesitter on 14/09/2011 22:18:22 |
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emmy c
Snake mite
Ireland
43 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2011 : 00:00:29
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My reason for adopting a 5-6 day eating plan was because she was underweight when I got her ( weighing 54g at a year old) and when I questioned the pet shop owner further he told me that she had come from someone who had lost their job and probably couldnt afford to feed regularly and adequately anymore. Hence an underfed snake through no fault of her own. So I was planning to get her up to the desired weight for her age and then cut back to a more infrequent feeding schedule.
I got her probed today in the pet shop where I got her to make sure she is female before I bought a second one (her future mate) and they were impressed by how well she looks (this shop is the most reputable and well respected in southern Ireland).
Thanks for the advice, and don't worry, I'll be feeding every 7 to 10 days from now on,
Emmy |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2011 : 20:22:10
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Sorry Emmy, I did not mean to cause offense by any means, I just worry about feeding issues -- I've seen too many reports of completely well-intentioned owners feeding their pet snakes to an early grave based on bad advice. As an industry, we unfortunately tend to overfeed, partly through the bad examples set by dealers whose motivation is quick growth for faster breeding size.
I agree with you, 54 grams is *definitely* underweight for a yearling -- good call! I just recently had a similar situation myself, in which I received an (almost) two-year old that weighed only 181 grams. In this case, your motivation is wonderful, but could lead to unfortunate results as much of that gain could be internal fat deposits. I've found that a regular schedule of average meals will correct an underweight problem. For example, the two-year-old, during the first month I had her, gained 40 grams on standard weekly food (on on rat fuzzies, what's more!).
Anyway, it sounds like you are well aware of and on top of the issue, so good luck! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
Edited by - Snakesitter on 15/09/2011 20:23:59 |
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emmy c
Snake mite
Ireland
43 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2011 : 21:08:57
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No offense taken I assure you! Just wanted to explain the situation so you didnt think I was power feeding and unaware of the consequences of such.. I had fully intended to change to a 7 - 10 feeding day soon, and after reading your point about internal fatty deposits, I will do so immediately. Again, thanks for the advice , and I am going off now to take some updated photos which I will post, and please feel free to say if you think I have a fatty on my hands! |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 15/09/2011 : 21:57:42
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Phew!
I'm sure she will be fine -- if there is any age at which they can burn it off, it is babyhood.
Looking forward to the picts.... |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
Edited by - Snakesitter on 15/09/2011 21:58:09 |
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must be doing something right!
