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How do i know if my snake is eating enough or not enough?

visceralrepulsion

visceralrepulsion

Nay-Sayer
What is the "coiling around the wrist test" to help establish if your snake is a healthy weight? I'd like to know because i know my Lars was overweight i think at his first home, and i dont want this to happen again. but on the opposite side, i want to know if hes eating enough. he's a 6-7yr old male corn who is 4ft long almost exactly, and is fed one regular adult mouse every 10 days, yet i dont notice a significant bulge after he eats, just a slightly thicker girth where the food is traveling through. i know it'd help if i had the snakes weight, but unfortunately i wont until the snakes first checkup coming up fairly soon at the vet or until i can find a scale to measure his weight. should i wait until he gets weighed before trying to give him larger prey so he doesnt become overweight again? sorry this is such a long question, but thanks for anyones input, its greatly appreciated. =]
 
I never heard of that test. What I have heard is holding your snake by the lower portion of the body and letting the snake pull itself back up to your hand. If your snake can do that then its in good shape. As long as your snake isn't round, or has hips (over weight) then your snake is probably at a decent weight. They say to compare it to the shape of a loaf of bread. If your snake is already an adult the lump factor really doesn't matter as much anymore. Your feeding schedule sounds good already. If your snake is over weight, then space the feedings out to every 14 days with the same size mouse your feeding it now.

Hope this helps!
 
I just got a little diet scale from Walmart. They sell larger digital ones for about $20. I agree it may be better to feed him every 14 days, but without a weight its hard to say what your snake needs.
 
The coiling around the wrist test is when you hold the snake close to the head with one had and hold the back end of the snake with the other hand. Gently let go of the back end of the snake and if it is able to brings its back end back up and wrap around your wrist then it should show good muscle tone. I prefer the one that Sarah is talking about just cause it takes a little more work on their part.
 
Those tests sound fairly innacurate. Weight is the best way to go. Digital scales that measure in grams are very common, just go to the cooking utensil section of any store and you should find what you need.
 
And that is right the only thing that those test prove is that there is good muscle tone. And I know personally that it is possible to be really strong and still be fat.
 
im waiting on a check to be able to afford a scale,(sad i know, these are tough times), but right now my snakes are getting their necessities first of course. so the scale will be purchased fairly soon, and ill repost to this thread to see if you guys think hes overweight , because i think he might be becoming over weight again. this is his first 14 day run before he eats today. i noticed spacing between the scales of his belly area? which i was told was a sign your snake is overweight somewhat. but i dont think it will hurt him to go to every 14 days until i purchase a scale. thanks for everyones input =]
 
ps~ i also purchased a baby so i need a scale asap, because she was extremely thin when i got her, so i put her on 2 pinkies every 5 days. and id like to know how shes growing. i have no idea her age either unfortunately. i recently received the munson plan for feeding if anyone is familiar with this, so this is another reason i need to get a scale asap.
 
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