So, how fat should my corn snakes be?

[Blue Phoenix]

I've been reading some conflicting information on prey sizes and how much you should feed corn snakes. I thought I was doing OK, but my baby corn snake looks too thin and has a vicious feeding response (he gets two small pinkies a week. I gave him a fuzzie once but he regurged) and my snow corn looks too fat and has a sluggish feeding response (it takes him ten minutes to find the food).

I've been feeding them food (f/t rodents always) that's only slightly larger or the same width as the widest part of their body, but I think I've screwed up somewhere. In my defence my research told me everything under the sun about corn snake care other than ideal weights.

So, does anyone have an informative guide on ideal weights for corn snakes at various life stages, or just how to tell if your snake is obese (pictures are good)? I have no idea how old my two are and I haven't been around enough corn snakes to guess ages other than baby and adult, so I'm afraid I can't help you much there.

Thanks.

 

[MegF.]

There is no ideal weight, just like there's no set growth. Different snakes have different body habitus just like people. In profile though, they should look like a loaf of bread. Rounded on the top, flat on the bottom. Scales should sit next to each other without large spaces in between which can be indicative of a fat snake. Their scales do seperate some when they're moving, but they shouldn't have it when they are sitting still. The spine should not show, and there should be no loose skin hanging. Basically, if it looks like a healthy snake, it is.