How often should the snake be fed?
There is no general answer for this question. As mentioned previously, neonates must not be fed more often than once every 10 to 14 days (must, not should!).
Once they have passed their first year, it is certainly recommendable for the larger subspecies (Boa c. constrictor, Boa c. occidentalis) to feed on a weekly basis for a year. The growth rate is at its peak in this second year, and everything that the snake receives now, is converted into lengthwise growth.
Especially young Boa c. Constrictor turn hereby into real garbage disposals. As much as they can pose problems concerning regurgitation in their first year, they prove to be just as robust in their second year.
Naturally, Boa constrictors need to get used to a larger amount of prey slowly. Feeding a single mouse every 14 days in December, and then suddenly a breeder-sized rat every week in January is impossible. Therefore, increase slowly!
As soon as the boa has reached a satisfactory size or has put on a bit too much fat, the feeding intervals need to be increased again.
The following is valid as a rule of thumb for the entire remaining life-span of the snake: adult (mature) females are to be fed every 2 to 3 weeks, adult males every 3 to 4 weeks.
Once you are the proud owner of a three-meter „mallet“, feeding a guinea-pig or a young rabbit once every four weeks is satisfactory. Boa constrictors of that size (only the previously mentioned subspecies can reach this size) generally grow very slowly, and have a tendency to put on fat.
