Too much exercise (?)

[jpccusa]

I know most people don't weigh their snakes on a weekly basis, but being a noobie, I just HAVE to. The gains have been constant until now, usually around 2.5 grams per week, but I recently noticed some "no gain" and some losses of weight (not consecutive weeks though).

1- Could this be due to his new huge vivarium, where he has ample room to roam and climb?
2- Could this be due to the season, even though he is eating normal?
3- Would it hurt to feed every 5 days or should I just relax and leave everything as it is?

I'm following the Munson plan, currently on fuzzies every 6 days. He weighed 38g yesterday (1g less than last week).

 

[Austin M]

You could bump up feeding frequency if you wanted to. I used to weight the food item as well. Looking back at some records I had fuzzies from 3-7 grams a piece. You could feed your guy every 3 or 4 days with no problems. I don't think exercise is a factor in your snakes weight as much as caloric intake is.

 

[airenlow]

I'm following the Munson Plan for the food item but feed every 5 days until they are on weaned mice. Every now and then I will have a "no gain" but, for the most part, they will grow steadily.

 

[Austin M]

I guess I didn't answer specifically.

1- Could this be due to his new huge vivarium, where he has ample room to roam and climb?

No, it's more about calories consumed than calories burned.

2- Could this be due to the season, even though he is eating normal?

I doubt it. Not with a 38g snake. Maybe if it were breeding?

3- Would it hurt to feed every 5 days or should I just relax and leave everything as it is?

Either choice is fine. I don't think there is anything wrong with you snake. So you could just relax. If you want your snake to gain more weight you can bump up the feeding schedule.

 

[Suzy]

Just out of curiosity, are you weighing your snake before he defecates, or after? That can cause fluctuations in weight if you're weighing on a weekly basis, and you should definitely take that into account as well. You may be weighing him prior to defecation, and that can add a few grams to his total weight. (I once weighed my corn snake prior to defecation, and he was at 107 grams - after he defecated, he was back down to 98 grams. He doesn't tend to go once a week though - it's usually about once every 2 or 3 weeks.)
I would say that you could bump it up to every 5 days if you're that worried about it, but it really shouldn't be an issue if you feed him every 6 days.

 

[jpccusa]

I weigh just before feeding and my guy is pretty regular. He usually defecates on the 3rd day after feeding.

 

[danielle]

Maybe he just took an extra big poo. A 1 gram weightloss isn't something you should worry about unless the weightloss is rapid, feeding ceases, or other issues arise like funny breathing sounds or other signs of illness. I only weigh my animals every 2-4 months depending on who's breeding, or if I witness an animal look thinner or it hasn't been eating as much. I am sure your little guy is fine and be careful with feeding more as I just learned corns are not pythons and will regurge if fed too much or too frequently.

 

[diamondlil]

I'd say cut back on the frequency of weighing.
When Lil was a non-feeder and as she slowly started to feed and grow, I weighed her before every feed. I'd notice the 1g or 2g loss, and worry myself sick, then see a 4g gain and be happy, then a 3g loss...........
After I told myself 'this snake is eating and looking healthy', I weighed her once a month. That meant I could see a nice steady growth rate, without stressing over little fluctuations. Just my experience, a small snake will show an apparent loss if it's just had a big poop or because it hasn't drunk that day.

 

[jpccusa]

Thanks guys. Those are great advices!

 

[Drizzt80]

I'd say cut back on the frequency of weighing.

Ditto. You're causing yourself undue stress and worry. Try weighing yourself in the same day . . .

Personally, I try to weigh everyone once a month to once every two months.

D80