Feeding Q?

[fiery_redhead17]

hey there

I recently brought a new normal corn, he is a yearling and between 2 1/2 to 3 feet long. He is also about 3/4 inch thick and has a relatively good sized head. I want to know what size mice/rats i should and could feed him and how many how often. I fed him for the first time tonight with some of the pinky mice i had left over. Obviously there too small and he wolfed two of them down no trouble. He still seemed a little hungry even. I want to order some mice/rats off line and want to know what size to get. Advice please.

 

[Jrgh17]

Maybe this is just me, but that sounds skinny. Is his backbone showing or are there any other signs he was malnourished?

 

[jazzgeek]

From the "Health Issues/Feeding Problems" FAQ:

Q: How do I know when to move up to the next size mouse or rat?

A: Move up to the next sized prey item when you do not notice a visible 'lump' after 24 hours following a feeding. There should be a lump visible between 24-48 hours after any feeding. Also remember, feeding items that are over 1.5x the thickness of the snake can cause problems. Try not to feed any items that are larger than 1.5x the thickness of your snake.

Use the FAQs. They're your friends.

Don't make me sic Lenny on you. :grin01:

regards,
jazz

 

[MegF.]

I would feed a small adult mouse or weaner and see how it does.

 

[BeckyG]

What I suggest it to take the snake to a pet store and ask to see their feeder mice. Then you will be able to compare the mouse with the snake and see if it is 1.5x the width of the snake. When you decide approximately what size he needs, you can buy a few of them to feed him and see how long the lump lasts. That way, you will have a better idea of what size you need to order. There is nothing like ordering the wrong size, then being stuck with 50-100 mice you can't use.

Just to give you an idea, my snake about that size eats one small adult every 6-7 days. I order from Big Cheese.

 

[snakemom1961]

is it possible to have an adult needing more then a small (bigger then pup or fuzzy rat) but not an adult rat. I feed my Tiaga a small f/t rat but the lump just isn't that visible. I know she has been underfed and know she has a ridge from not being fed correctly....I feed her once a week now (instead of every other week) 1 small rat.Now I'm wondering if i should up the size to a medium rat?

 

[MegF.]

My largest corn had a considerable lump feeding him small rats. Your small rat may be the size of what I would consider a large mouse. I can't imagine that your corn would eat a medium rat. That's something I'd feed a largish boa.

 

[snakemom1961]

thanks meg......I didn't think she would need anything larger either, but when i see her "bulge" and there's non the next day it got me wondering if I needed to try a medium rat on her.....thanks again

 

[fiery_redhead17]

Thanks

Hey um I hjave yet to check for a lump. Hes still fairly new to his enclosure and i dnt want to bother him just yet ill give it another couple hours. No hes not malnourished. He looks very healthy. Hes just not bulked up yet. I think hes just grown long first. I'm sure hell start bulking up soon. I certianly do not want to power fed him. I'm thinking maybe fuzzie or hopper mice or pinky or fuzzy rats. The fuzzy rats are about the same size as hopper mice but cheaper. Are they just as good to fed? Well I might take a photo of the guy with something to size him by and post that up. Then well see what you guys think. Thanks for your help.

 

[fiery_redhead17]

Well i decided to get him checked out but not handle him as such. Theres no total obvious lump but a very very slight one. I took some pics with a tape measure and standard pencil for a comparison. So hoping for some more exact advice. Remember hes between 2 and a half to 3 feet long.

 

[MegF.]

He looks like he'd take hoppers or a small mouse. He's not very wide at his widest point.