Stunted growth - Where Responsible Reptile Keepers Connect!

Botis · #1 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:06 AM

When I first purchased my BCI at the age of 6 days old I was pretty ignorant.
The fella who sold it to me told me to feed her every 7 days, which Ive come to find is incorrect and should be about 4 or 5 days. I was also feeding her fuzzy mice as opposed to pink rats. There were a few occasions where she went 8-10 days without a feeding.

Shes 10 months old now and by my reckoning roughly two feet, probably a tad over. I dont have an exact estimate. I am just wondering if this is proper size for her age, and if not is there something I can do to increase her growth to reach the proper size?

It may be coincidential but she seems to be coloring up nicely since I switched to rats as well, shes losing the baby grey and thickening up more noticeably. Im just rather scared I may have underfed her to the point where I shortened her life, or stunted her.

She used to have a slight dip or ridge along her sides that was usually only noticeable when she stretched out. Im not sure if thats normal, only red-tail Ive had. Its almost gone now though as she is thickening out.

Heres the most recent close-up shot I have of her.

HaloedSatan · #2 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 09:31 AM

I'd say 2 ft at 10 months is probably a little larger than normal. At 18 months they should be about 3 ft from my estimates, so youre doing fine IMO.

rocketcrotch · #3 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 02:41 PM

My female is almost 3 feet at six months. I think its just snake by snake man, nothing to worry about.

TammyJ · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 09:18 PM

The snake looks Great,

man!!!

david · #5 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 10:01 PM

every 4 to 5 days for a boa is power feeding

Botis · #6 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david

every 4 to 5 days for a boa is power feeding

Not when their under a month old =/

rocketcrotch · #7 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david

every 4 to 5 days for a boa is power feeding

Not when they are under 10 months old.

ssjsmits · #8 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008, 02:21 AM

Let's clarify something here. There is NO time frame between feedings that is, or is not, power feeding. i.e. "a boa feed every 5 days or whatever is being power fed". To one person that's power feeding. To others it's not. Depends entirely on how the animal responds to it. Some boas can be fed way more frequently than others and gain little growth. Whereas others will pack on fat and size too quick. Same methodology goes for less frequent meals. A boa could be fed using a "textbook" feeding regimen and still be considered power fed. There is no textbook rule for power feeding. Whether it be every 5 days or 5 weeks, doesn't matter. It's entirely how the animal responds to feeding and growth that determines a power fed boa.

Botis · #9 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008, 02:38 AM

Well said SS, I just lowered her down to 6 days actually. She seems to digest the food very quickly. Within 2 days theres no bulge, and within 4 days I have a poop like clockwork.

The BP on the other hand just went up to every 8 days, hes not digesting it near as fast... especially since he switched to rats, and he goes 2-3 feedings without a poop, and has a bulge after 4 days.

rocketcrotch · #10 (**permalink**) 10-09-2008, 03:04 AM

That was good SS. I am under the impression that "power feeding" was introducing a second prey item at the end of the snake swallowing the first. Taking advantage of the swallowing reflex and making the snake eat more than it would on its own. I think that the term "power feeding" is more loosely used than it should be when used in terms of how often a snake is fed. Feel free to correct me if this contains any fallacies.