Woma Feeding

[BeZaKa]

Just after some general tips on not over feeding my Woma. I have read all the literature I can get my hands on re Womas and am aware that they can get issues from feeding on rats (mammals) as in the wild they tend to feed on reptiles. I am currently feeding mine (6 months old) one fuzzy and one pinky rat per feed (every 7 days) and shows no fat on his body, muscles clearly showing doesn't look fat at all. I am about to bump him up to the hopper rat next feed. Just wanted some helpful advise from experienced woma owners as I really don't want to over feed him. Cheers in advance. Ps. I know this may just be by feel but I really don't want the result to be a shortened life span for my snake.

 

[RedFox]

He will be fine on hoppers. It is more the older breeder rats that tend to have a higher percentage of fat. I feed mine multiple medium rats under or around 150g. Depending on the rat's diet the fat content differs, so it could be a good idea to find a rat breeder that feeds their rats a high protein rather than high fat diet. It sort of comes down to your own judgement if a rat looks too fat and you can't feel muscle and bone don't feed it to your snake.

When they get to a decent size you could always swap over to small rabbits as they tend to be quite lean. At the moment quail and chicken are a lean option as well.

While I wouldn't call myself an experienced owner, this is all advice I have being given by people who are.

 

[BeZaKa]

Thank you RedFox. Ive heard that about switching to small rabbits when big enough also. The advice re multiple medium rats and judging the rat by muscle and bone is great. Thank you for the very informative advise.

 

[slide]

Usually rats over 180-200g tend to hold more fat. Younger growing rats tend not to store too much and are a good option as far as rats go. You can see the difference in body shape with a rat of 150g to that of a 250g rat. How much of that extra weight is fat???
Im in qld so rabbits are a bit harder to come by unless bought in from interstate and are a bit expensive.
Also monitor the condition of the woma for good muscle tone. The only time I like seeing a plump woma is when she's gravid.

 

[BeZaKa]

Thanks for the feedback slide appreciated. So do you suggest a couple of the under 150g rats as opposed to 1 of the 250g plus?

 

[BOB_NT]

I swaped over too quail, nice and lean and mine loves em.

 

[slide]

If you are going to feed with rats then yes, pretty much... I tend to feed around 180g but do 1 one week and two the next for my adult females and more like one a week for my adult males. I do occasionally feed a 200g now and then but dont make a habbit of it. Thats just what I do personally, not saying its any better than what others may do.
It may prove more cost effective to feed rabbit or quail if you can get them and if the woma likes them (not like womas are fussy though, lol)

Aaron

 

[BeZaKa]

Thanks BOB_NT and Aaron, the advice is much appreciated.