Feed size help

[MyMitchie]

So my yearling Spotted is 194grams and around 80cm long so if I was to feed him 20% of his weight maximum that *should* be 38.8grams. Now he is on fuzzy rats and gulps it down in a reasonable time and has a lump for around 2-3 days and is having 1 fuzzy rat every 8 days. One fuzzy rat is around 10-17grams though and I doubt he could get down two of these due to how long they are in his stomach.

He behaves like a well fed snake, never bites, always just hiding away, typical Spotted. The only thing different is he is only shedding every 2 months which should be more considering hes gone from weaner mice to fuzzy rats.

Warm spot of 30-32 and cold spot of 28. Plenty of water and humidity.
Can anyone shed some light on what I should be doing here or if I am doing anything wrong?

Thank you

 

[Trimeresurus]

20% bodyweight is hardly a big feed, it'll easily be able to handle 2 rats even if they look long to you

 

[MyMitchie]

The lump from the rat makes up about 40cm of his 80cm is that okay? and thats not too much fat for a little Spotted?

 

[Trimeresurus]

They can handle large feeds, it'll be fine.

 

[MyMitchie]

Okay, thanks heaps!

 

[Gruni]

At that age and size my girl got 1 weener mouse every 9-12 days. If yours is looking healthy and isn't tagging you for a feed then I wouldn't stress the percentages so much as my girl thrived and only got to the stage where I needed to offer her double items until recently (2y.o. and 1.2m).

 

[Gruni]

The lump from the rat makes up about 40cm of his 80cm is that okay? and thats not too much fat for a little Spotted?

One ratling? If you offer her the second one I'll put money on it that she takes it without hesitation but she won't need to be fed as often. I feed my girl based on her behaviour more than a set number of days.

 

[MyMitchie]

Thanks Gruni! was hoping you'd chime in. Hes a nice fat healthy boy (actually a girl but after a year I can't switch) so not too worried but was just a little confused.

I'm sure he would take it but the lump wouldn't disappear for a good week.

 

[Gruni]

I edited my last post too Mitchie but yeah I don't subscribe to the whole % thing too rigidly. Mine has always been in good condition with that nice dip along her back. If the feeds are too small for her she will let you know by either tagging you or by hunting around for a feed. I can't explain it clearly but I can tell the difference between Skittles being active and mobile vs hunting and hungry. Let her behaviour guide you a bit and remember they don't eat on schedule in the wild so being flexible with the feed intervals does them no harm at all.

 

[MyMitchie]

He doesn't even bite when I know hes hungry after i've played with my pet rat and not washed my hands, bit of a sook haha. Thanks heaps for your help Gruni! Just trying to keep him happy!