Have I fed my snake a rat that was too big?

[Ripley]

Please help...I am probably panicking over nothing but I am worried the rat I gave my snake was too big for it.

I have a 6ft diamond that I have had for 2 years. I normally feed it 'large' rats from my local pet shop but recently purchased a rat from another supplier and their 'large' rat was huge, probably twice the size of what she normally gets. Normally when she eats a rat there is a bulge in her belly which is gone within 24 hours but this time the big bulge is still there and it's been 3 days. I am worried the rat is going to rot. She is kept in an enclosure outside so heat shouldn't be a problem.

Am I being paranoid?

Thanks, Jacqui

 

[dames1978]

Am I being paranoid?

could be ;-)

 

[disasterpiece7.0]

Nah, you should be right. Keep a close eye on her, but it's normal for a big meal to take a while to digest. any pics?

 

[funcouple]

do you know how many grams this rat was? what temp is your enclosure at? a cooler enclosure can slow digestion

 

[Ripley]

Thanks dames lol, I probably am (I hope). I'd be shattered if something happened to her, although my hubby would probably do cartwheels, he doesn't like her much.

 

[mpeel]

m8 should be fine I wouldn’t worry as long as there is enough heat to help her digest it if it really is to big for her she will regurgitate it the only time it would start to worry was if there is a leg or something really making a visible protrusion from her body I have fed my olive very large stuff and its taken it fine and then took 2 to 3 days for the lump to go down completely and maybe keep an eye on her to make shore she doesn’t prolaps witch I don’t think is very common in diamonds

p.s soz im very **** at spelling

 

[elapid66]

as long as its got enough heat all is good

 

[Jason]

my carpet eats rabbits which take atleast a week or two to completely digest.... your snake will be fine, dont worry.

 

[Ripley]

I have been sitting watching her and she isn't moving around a hell of a lot but I wouldn't be after eating that big a meal either. I don't have a weight on the rat but I didn't realise they got that big it was huge. She is kept outside and the temp this week has been in the high 30's she is staying at the bottom of the enclosure under logs where it's cooler so heat definately isn't it.

Thanks heaps everyone for replying you are definately making me feel at ease.

Jacqui

 

[Ishah]

When I give mine a big meal, it usually takes 4 days to digest instead of 1... You should be fine!

 

[cris]

I cant imagine any rat being too big for a 6' carpet python, if they have big meals they should have access to prefered temperatures, too cold or too hot and it can cause problems.

 

[Snake_Whisperer]

Lol, i just went thru this meself, I've been paranoid all week but it appears the big bump is starting to subside. Normally takes them 2 days for the bump to start shinking, this instance it took 4 days for a noticeable reduction. As stated, so long as the temps are good, your diamond should be right!

 

[funcouple]

I have been sitting watching her and she isn't moving around a hell of a lot but I wouldn't be after eating that big a meal either. I don't have a weight on the rat but I didn't realise they got that big it was huge. She is kept outside and the temp this week has been in the high 30's she is staying at the bottom of the enclosure under logs where it's cooler so heat definately isn't it.

Thanks heaps everyone for replying you are definately making me feel at ease.

Jacqui

im sure your snake will be fine. south west sydney has had 40 deg temps a couple of days this week, so this will help speed up digestion.

 

[Ripley]

Thanks again everyone, you guys are the best! Jacqui

 

[moosenoose]

I fed my snake a few of these for entertainment value:

Believe it or not....STILL ALIVE

 

[tenacres1100]

nice Darwin Moosenoose