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Bob
Snake mite
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
 Posted - 03/08/2012 : 10:43:27
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| I have been reading the posts about feeding and sizes. I always thought the food should be no more than 1 1\2 times the snakes head width and not down to the width of the body. Is this not the case for BRB's. I'm worried now that I may be under feeding him. He weighs 311 gr and I've got him on 2 rat fuzzies every 7 to 10 days deepending on how active he is and if he's shedding. He will be 2 years old on Sept 16th. |
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CDN_Blood
Rainbow oddball
Canada
489 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2012 : 11:36:23
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They're designed to stretch a whole lot more than 1 1/2 times the width of their head. I have a young Colombian that will also be 2 years old this autumn (attached) and it sucks back medium rats. Can you post an image of you holding it to give us an idea of it's current size?
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TODD
25 Years of Commitment and Responsibility in Private Herpetoculture |
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Bob
Snake mite
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2012 : 16:04:32
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| He's just about to shed so wont get a picture for a couple of days but I'd say slightly smaller than yours. Guess I'd better start getting him something more substantial to chew on. I think I may have been a bit over cautious. |
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CDN_Blood
Rainbow oddball
Canada
489 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2012 : 16:09:38
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Better safe than sorry, and being a little underfed is something that can be easily remedied, so you should be fine. Btw, I don't necessarily recommend that everyone feeds as large as I do, I just wanted to show what they *can* accommodate - that doesn't mean they always should :)
Also of note is that Brazilians tend to be more slender snakes than their Colombian cousins, so that needs to be taken into consideration also. |
TODD
25 Years of Commitment and Responsibility in Private Herpetoculture |
Edited by - CDN_Blood on 03/08/2012 16:10:57 |
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IncurableFlirt
Yearling
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2012 : 16:17:31
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| I definitely agree. It is always better to err on the side of caution. ;) It is very easy to remedy an underfed snake, but fixing an overweight and unhealthy one is much more difficult. You almost had it right, though. :) It is 1 and 1/2 times the width of the snake's belly area (Or the widest part of them), not their head. Their heads are made to accept large meals, because their jaws come unhinged and their skin stretches. ;) |
Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2012 : 21:05:16
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| I generally err on the conservative side, and will only slightly exceed the widest part of a snake's body for a Brazilian -- their alternate name, after all, is the "slender" boa. My two-year olds are usually small or medium rats (depending how fast the animal has grown). At 311 grams, they are usually on rat pups. As others have noted, much better to underfeed than overfeed -- too much food can shorten the animal's lifespan. Looking forward to your picts, Bob! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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Bob
Snake mite
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 14:30:04
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| Thanks guys for the input. Do you think he's a bit small for almost 2 at 311 grams. As soon as he's shed I shall get some new pics done and post them. Want to give him the chance to show himself at his best. Thought he would have done it by now :( |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 21:21:24
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| I wouldn't worry. Growth varies widely based on feeding schedules and genetics. I have animals approaching age two that are 650 grams, and animals approaching age two that are 300 grams. So long as he is healthy and interactive, he'll get there eventually. :-) |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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Worried
