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To large feed Item?

sbourget

sbourget

New member
I was wondering, in your experiences, how does a snake usually react to a food item that is to large for it to be able to safely eat?
I ended up having to feed Spur a pinky that was a little larger than I would have liked, because all the smaller ones at the pet store were severely freezer burned (completely maroon coloured and wrinkled) or going brown. We raise our own mice, but we ran out for this week, hopefully 'mommie' mouse will produce for next week.
I've included pictures of Spur after he managed to down the pinkie.
 

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It would be easier for us to tell if, in fact, that pinkie was too large if we saw pics of the snake's midsection afterwards. Alot of times the jaw and neck will stretch to proportions that seem ridiculous, but once in the stomach, aren't as big as once thought. 1 1/2 times the width of the snake at it's largest diameter is generally the rule.
 
This pinkie was nearing on 2x his largest width, and just over his largest height. This is also the first time he has done any sort of constricting, he coiled around his head and the pinkie several times. Unfortunately I didn't get a good picture of it actually in his belly.
 
I am by no means an expert (actually I'm barely a novice). But judging by the width of his body that you can see in the photo and the size of the lump in his neck, I'd say he shouldn't have problems with it. I'm only saying that because I think my own snake would be able to handle it.
Besides, it's too late now, huh? You'll have your answer in a few days. :)
Just make sure he has optimum conditions for digestion and leave him alone for a few days.
 
Well, I tipped Spur out of his hide and snapped some pictures before he crawled back in, sorry for the poor quality, but you should be able to see the huge bulge in his belly.
 

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If he don't puke it up or get sick (loose stool), then rest your thoughts imo. If he does, then change it. That's what's worked for me anyway.
 
He looks like he should be fine, his belly looks nice and full. Just try not to move him any more until he digests it in a couple of days.
 
He seems to be doign alright, still a fair sized bump, he crapped in the sleeve of my sweater while I was holding him last night. (why's he always crap an me, never my girlfriend?) we'll see soon, he's due for a feeding monday, I might have to delay it.
 
I have always been under the impression that if a snake can swallow it all the way down he will be OK. In no way do i reccomend just throwing anything in and seeing if he can take it. I have seen wild snakes try to take things that were too large for them. They simply tried and tried until they spit what little bit they could fit in their mouth out completely and left. I guess what i am trying to say is i wouldn't worry. It looks like the pinky went down to the right place and the digestive juice will work it's magic.
 
We find that an overly large meal will usually push young snakes into a shed cycle even if they weren't due for one. Because that meal was double his girth, I would suggest giving him at least 10 days between this feeding and the next, but you may find that he is in shed within that 10 day period and you can skip the next meal. Bonus is that you get a growth spurt but these huge meals should be the exception and strive for a meal that is 1.5 times his belly diameter in the future. Pretty little guy,

mary v.
 
These large meals are the exception, I figure I'll go talk to the people at the vet clinic my mom works at and see if I can get some of their pinkies, (they have probly 30 mice all breeding, should ahve plenty of pinkies) then again, if I have to skip a meal due to shed that might give one of our other mice a chance to give birth. ('mommie' mouse had a litter on thursday but only one out of 6 survived, some looked like they were a bit deformed.)
 
Mommie

Are mommy and/or daddy mouse severely inbred? This can cause deformations in offspring.
 
Their both from our local pet store, so there is that possibility, I'm hoping that future litters will be better.
 
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