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Feeding more often?

S

serafino

New member
So I found out on another thread my snake was underweight. Is it ok to help him pack on the grams ltmq by feeding him more often? For instance instead of every 7 days which is what is recommended by the munson plan could I feed him every 4-5 days?
 
How old is your snake? What size mouse have you been feeding him?

Increasing the number of feedings is alright for the short term if he is underweight. Be careful not to overfeed and create a overweight problem.
 
My snakes age is unknown. I bought him when he was somewhat grown. Someone had abandoned him at the pet store. He was healthy and everything so I got him. I had some people guess his age he is probably 4-5 years old. I had been feeding him double fuzzies which wasn't enough. I now feed him the right size which is an adult mouse. So would it be ok for a little while?
 
Do you know the weight? Can you take a picture with say a pen/pencil next to him for size referance? This would help a lot, thanks susan
 
Ya he weighs about 150 grams around there. He looks skinny compared to all the other snakes around his age that I have seen. Sorry I can't take a picture right now my one good camera is in LA right now and I'm not there currently so sorry about that :(. I have been wanting to put him up as my avatar for a while now but I can't :(
 
Thanks, well 150 grs. for a 4-5 year old snake is very small. Honestly i don't know how to advise you, but at a minimum a mouse every 5-7 days, as others have said. You might get him checked for parasites.
If this were my snake I would feed every five days, check weight after every feediing. I would wait the 48 hours and then make sure he is getting exercise, as you want weight gain but not just fat gain. Keep in mind all of what I say is my opinion only, just trying to give you options, susan
 
Ya I'm making sure he gets exercise. The problem of why he is so small is because I was advised by a pet store to feed him 2 fuzzies at his current size. I think they just said that so they could make more money. So I had been feeding them those for a while. I doubt he would have parasites because he hasn't come in contact with other snakes since I bought him and he didn't have any then so just my guess. Thanks guys for all the help. I'll feed him every 5-7 days now instead of 7. Thanks again.
 
Is his spine very obvious to see and feel? If it's sticking through then he's definately underweight. I would increase the feeding frequency to help him gain weight - maybe every 5 days; but make sure he has good heat to fully digest the meal since you're feeding more often.
 
For the heat would it be ok to put a heating pad like the kind you use for people when you are sore or something to put under his tank? I just moved him to a large tub so I can't really use a heat lamp anymore. Its been fairly warm here though so I haven't had to use a heat source yet. Would it work if I set it on low?
 
might not be what everyone does but... I do that for my little ones :) I only put it on low and only on about 1/3 of the bottom or behind the container... but I also have a probe set up so that I know its getting warm enough without being too hot. :)
 
Thanks I have 2 dimmer switches that I can hook up to put the exact amount of heat that I want forgot about that lol. I originally used it for my heat lamp so I could dim that but it works with anything that has a plug. My dad's electrically inclined and made it for me :). So I feel safe about it now with your approval.
Thanks for you help
 
Those human heat pads aren't designed to be used under a tub,but the reptile ones are dirt cheap and easily available
 
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