Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

ClactonJoe · Key Member Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 207

Hello there.
I have a 5 month old Royal male who now seems to eat well.
I just fed him tonight and he took two mice.
(I guess he is making up for the period he ate nothing a couple of months ago when I first got him).
I only fed him on friday and he only had one but he did still look hungry.
I am not sure of their correct type but they werre about 2 inches (50mm) long without including the tail.

Now my question is...
I was told that a good size food is about as fat as the snakes stomach.

IS THIS GOOD ADVICE?

The mice now are only about a third of this size.

He also likes to eat in his water container which means his head is under water while he adjusts his grip. I find this a bit weird.

Thanks for reading this.
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Joey (From Sunny Clacton-on-Sea)

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Jack · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:50 am Post subject:

yep the food should be the size of the snakes stomach so i think that she he should be on large mice
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jack
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Lynne · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:51 am Post subject:

hi joe. the food item shouldnt be wider than the widest part of the snake. maybe he could take a rat weaner, cant really get a good indication of his size on the pics. what weight is he?
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snakeypete · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:54 am Post subject:

Certainly NO more than the girth of the snake being fed , I actually prefer the prey item to be slightly smaller than the girth . If he wants to take two , fine but leave him be for a week ( maybe ten days ) before feeding again .

Also as Lynne says , maybe try weaner , they have more nutrition than mice .

It is weird the manner in which he feeds . maybe consider removing it ( as long as losing it does not stress him ? )
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3.7.0 Royals

We do not stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing.

ClactonJoe · Key Member Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 207

Answers already.

Wow. Thanks for that.

Hs weight is only about 225g (8oz)

I say about as I last put him on the scales on the 14-04, a week ago.

He has eaten twice since then. But only three smallish mice.
_________________
Joey (From Sunny Clacton-on-Sea)

Go-on Have a Look...
http://www.mycampage.com/chameleon

ClactonJoe · Key Member Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 207

The water container did make me wonder if he was ok at first but he really does love it.

He also strikes as soon as the mice is introduced into the hole.
When I make him come out for it he takes longer to feed and sometimes does take it at all.

As he was really fussy when I first got him I let him stay and feed where he feels safe.
_________________
Joey (From Sunny Clacton-on-Sea)

Go-on Have a Look...
http://www.mycampage.com/chameleon

Lynne · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:02 am Post subject:

i wouldnt worry about the water, but as pete says remove the water dish. i have some who do this sometimes and it bothers me more than it seems to bother them. rats are more nutritous than mice, but some will just refuse to eat rats. some of mine do, and being royals, if they want mice they get them, as long as they eat!!!
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Lynne · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:04 am Post subject:

ClactonJoe · Key Member Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 207

I shall get some weaner rats for next time.

I shall also get some mice just in case.

Are the weaner rats without fur?
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Joey (From Sunny Clacton-on-Sea)

Go-on Have a Look...
http://www.mycampage.com/chameleon

Lynne · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:14 am Post subject: