I guessed wrong

[zzrayz]

So I've had my snake a little over a month and as he is still getting used to me I hadn't weighed him. I found the munson plan but without a weight or the slightest idea what a gram feels like, I guestemated.
I fed him 1 pinkie and he took it down very quickly and easily. There wasn't really a noticable lump and he stayed right where I feed him. He seemed to be looking for more food which I had read meant he was ready for another. I gave him another and again he took it down quickly and easily.
Based on this observation and my lack of a weight, I placed him on the second step of the munson plan, 2 pinkies every 5-6 days for a snake 16-23g.
I followed this and with the ease with which he was taking the 2 pinkies down I was wondering if he was getting closer to the next step.

Today, I weighed him, 14g. This puts him on the first step of the munson plan.
He is taking 2 pinkies easy with little to no visable lump. He generally hides for 2 days after eating so I don't know exactly what little lump there is goes away. But it can not be long, as there is barely a lump to begin with.

I know the munson plan is the standard. But as I am already on the 2nd step, I can't imagine I should go back. He has been on double pinkies for over a month.

What should I do?
Should I just leaving him on the second step until his weight gets to 24g or since I have moved him up early should he be ready to step up to step 3 early?
Is it more important to have him eating the right amount for his weight or to progressively move up?
Will his growth be effected by not moving up at the right speed?

[tom e]

I wouldn't go to the next step, but sometimes we find that there is a young one that's sort of bullet proof. Still there are other worries. You could risk making him obese which is really as unhealthy to them as it is to us. Something else to think about is he may digest really well when it's nice and warm, but on a cold night he may regurge that large meal. Then he's more likely to regurge again if you don't get him going again very slowly.

I probably wouldn't go back to 1 since he's shown he can eat two pinks ok, then again I wouldn't jump ahead either.

As for acting hungry, they'll always do that when in feeding mode. I never met one yet who wouldn't have another if you let 'em, lol. Assuming they'll have the first.

[Nanci]

I agree. Since where you're at is working out, I'd stay there, but I wouldn't exceed the Munson Plan, because it is aggressive as it is.

[TandJ]

I agree. Since where you're at is working out, I'd stay there, but I wouldn't exceed the Munson Plan, because it is aggressive as it is.

I third that.. OT, I should really phone Mr Munson one of these days.. *LOL*

Regards.. Tim of T and J

[Waltz]

Just so you know, snakes are opportunistic feeders by nature. Young ones can really be eager and would probably eat until they burst if you let them.