Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

new-b · Posted: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:43 pm Post subject: Overfeeding

Hey guys! I've been wondering for a while if you can overfeed your snake?
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Hannah

Orochimaru

peaches · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:16 am Post subject:

oh yes and very easy too, we feed because we care but sometimes too much, here is a pic of a very over weight snow corn we took in and it is taking forever to shift the weight but were getting there.
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MJ · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:35 am Post subject:

WOW

i've never seen a corn like that!
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Paul

For all your Tropical plant and Naturalistic Vivarium needs please enjoy Urban Bromeliad

Crunchie · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:52 am Post subject:

Good God I thought that was a royal python when I first looked at it. Shocked

HerpCrazy!!! · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:59 am Post subject:

A friend of mine has a carolina that was on a medium rat every week for ages! It has 'hips' lol, Right lil love handles! Hes dieting it now after I told him off!
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Licking this cane toad was the worst flippin idea you.............whoa man that penguin just put something in your pocket.

Drymarchon32 · Key Member Joined: 06 Nov 2006 Posts: 271

Hey New-b,
fat can be a serious problem in many species of both reptile and amphibian. Finding the perfect balance between correct growth rates and fat deposition can be tough, giving the right food and exercise is crucial to having a long lived happy animal. I know that certain species are more prone than others to health issues caused by a diet too high in fat. apparently 12 week old mice have the least amount of fat. Some years ago there were high mortality rates in young Jamaican boas from too much food and not enough exercise, causing fat build up in all organs. This was quickly rectified.
Certainly it does depend on the species, my big boy has eaten 3 chicks and 8 medium mice in the last week but doesn't have a bit of fat on him. Just because they are hungry doesn't mean you have to feed them.
I constantly worry about fat build up in snakes and keep a close eye on them. A good rule is don't feed you snake till its passed the last meal through it's system. This can be a good measure of their metabloism too. Keeping good records, feeding, shedding, weight, can be very helpful. If you know that your snake stops feeding for 4 months a year, then giving them a bit more isn't such an issue.
love the snow corn picture, I saw one a few weeks ago that was soo fat it had bingo wings, recommended getting her gravid to shift some of the weight. Very Happy

A
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Complacency killed the keeper

davo · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:08 pm Post subject:

only seen one corn fatter than that. there are probably loads out there. caring and the "cool" factor of watching them feed prob doesnt help them.

peaches · Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:24 pm Post subject:

When we first bought 'fatty' home which is what we call her, it stuck!! Rolling Eyes

We could put her on the floor and she would NOT move, if she did, she would pause as if to catch her breath. It was an incredably sad sight to see.

You could leave her their for ages knowing she would only wriggle slightly around the room, now though she is actually climbing up a excercise branch thing my hubby made for her, She has a huge viv for her to actually move in, and this tower branch thing in the middle. Her diet has been reduced/changed and alot more excercise.
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www.ratsnakefoundation.org

new-b · Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:01 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the info, I had been wondering about it for a while! Woah thats 1 big corn Shocked

, I'm too soft when it comes 2 my animals I'll have to watch I dont overfeed them, they are regular feeders and always fully digest their previous meal before feeding time comes around again. Atleast there aren't any treats you can give them or mines would be overweight!
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Hannah

Orochimaru