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BP food size questio

L

lifeflower

Guest
When I brought Mushu home he weighed 266g and was being fed wean rats. I've been feeding him weans weekly, skipping a few weeks when he was in shed. But other than 2 skipped feedings he has eaten weekly. He has been slowly gaining weight 370g and 24" Jan22, 424g Feb 26. While holding him yesterday I noticed he felt and looked heavier so I weighed him again 480g and just shy 2" wide. So I tried feeding him a small sized rat which he ate no issues. I didn't see any bumps in his stomach after feeding. He moved to his hot hide after eating. Now obviously I'm in no way trying to power feed him but I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing by going slow and steady. This is my first snake after all. Is feeding him consistently a slightly smaller meal then he could eat better or should I be feeding him larger meals? I've read countless mentions of BPs that go on hunger strikes in winter but I've been really lucky in that regard. He hasn't refused a meal yet. Is it okay that I keep him on smalls until he adds more weight? If so when should I switch over?
 
I don't know much about beepers, but in general, feeding small prey isn't going to do any harm. I have an 800g dumerils boa that will only eat baby chicks, obviously too small for him, and he's still putting on weight. It sounds like he's a good eater, so I'd just feed him rats that are about as big around as he is every week to ten days. Someone else may chime in with a different opinion and more experience with BP's, but really, as long as he's eating and putting on weight, you're fine, IMO.
 
Last year, my BP would refuse if the prey was too small-he wanted BIG rats. Bigger than it looked like he should be able to take, although somehow he still managed to not have an obvious bulge after feeding.

This year, well, he's still off feed despite it being in the 70s. A couple of other BP keepers have said their adults are still off feed this year, too, which makes me wonder if we're going to get an Easter snowstorm or something?
 
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