How soon to feed

[Carnie]

My proserpine carpet was fed on monday and appears to be hunting again today and I'm wondering if I fed him enough (1small rat to a 5 foot python). How soon could I feed him?

[Chimera]

Probably a week or 2. Potentially try a medium rat every 2 weeks on a 5' Python (thats what I feed my Bredls).

"Appears to be hunting" could this just be exploring, I would infer from your question you haven't had him for long and therefore the surrounds would be relatively new to him.

[Rennie]

Something that size won't need feeding more than once a week (I'd only do it once a fortnight) but increase the size of its rats or offer 2 at a time. I have a macdowelli about the same size which gets 2 medium (100g I think) rats every 2-4 weeks and is growing quite well I think, judging by how often it sheds. It may not be "hunting", it may just be exploring, and if it is then don't worry, you can let them go hungry for a while without problems (easily up to 6 months).

You beat me to it

[Auzlizardking]

What can I feed my python?
Captive pythons are mainly feed a diet of frozen rodents, mice, rats, and rabbits being the most common. It is advised that frozen or pre killed prey be feed to your pythons as many accidents have happened where the mice or rats have killed or damaged the python. A python can eat prey up to 3 times the size of there head and it is advised to feed them prey approx. 2 times the size of there head. Part of a pythons growth requires that they eat this large prey so that they dislocate there jaws, and the skin at the front of the jaws learns to stretch. A young python should be feed approx every 7-14 days and as they get older it should become less frequent. Adult pythons should be feed approx every 3-4 weeks. Over feeding can lead to pin head syndrome (That is where there body continues to grow but the head does not) and obesity. Obesity in snakes causes many health related issues. This can be very detrimental to there health and a sever diet would be recommended. Some people choose to give there pythons treats from time to time. Chickens, or pieces of chicken uncooked, fish, and raw meat, are the most common.

Why won't my snake feed?
Most pythons will not feed when coming up to a shed, or when stressed. Firstly don’t panic, and don’t stress, pythons can go for prolonged periods without feeding without any long term damage. An adult python can go for several months or more without feeding and younger pythons can easily go for 4-6 week’s. If they are due for a feed but refuse when offered wait another week and try again. If you notice they are coming up to shed it is likely that they will refuse food until the shed is complete. After they have shed they will be very hungry and will often take multiple rodents. If they have gone 2 weeks past there feeding due date and are not showing signs of shedding a few things to try are:

Braining: force a pin or sharp object through the skull of the rodent until juice comes out the snake will quickly pick up on the smell.
Hide and Wait: leave the rodents at the entry to there hide, close the enclosure and come back in the morning. Often the rodent will be gone in the morning.
Chicken Soup/Stock: dipping the rodent in chicken stock
Skink Scenting: putting a skink and the rodent in a container together so the rodent takes on the smell of a skink.
Check your temps
Try leaving it alone for a few days prior to feeding and just place it in the enclosure and leave it alone.
Do not attempt to force feed your python unless you are experienced. Force feeding should only be attempted by experienced vets and keepers.
Stimulate a feeding reponse by gently rubbing the food item behind it's neck.
For more information, see also Getting Hatchlings to Eat.

[Carnie]

He was hanging from his branch ready to strike. Might have just been my imagination to. I'll handle him tonight and see what he does.

[Carnie]

Cheers for the help people. Worst thing that will happen is I get tagged getting him out of the cage.

[Auzlizardking]

Originally Posted by Carnie

Cheers for the help people. Worst thing that will happen is I get tagged getting him out of the cage.

Worst thing no thats the best

[RevDaniel]

a five foot python should be eating more than i a small rat. Should be eating one to two large rats a feed. Try feeding it quails if you want but sounds like you have a hungry snake on your hands

[leighr33]

Revdan, i dunno if im the onl one getting sick of u plugging quails every post you make, but maybe settle a bit on it?

[Aussie Python Lover]

i feed my 5 1/2ft female coastal one large rat a week due to her going to be bred this yr so hence why she has a large one a week

[hornet]

Originally Posted by leighr33

Revdan, i dunno if im the onl one getting sick of u plugging quails every post you make, but maybe settle a bit on it?

was thinking the same thing

[kelly]

Originally Posted by leighr33

Revdan, i dunno if im the onl one getting sick of u plugging quails every post you make, but maybe settle a bit on it?

pfft who died and made you Moderator?

[Adam]

I would feed him again. Then wait a week and feed medium rats or 2 small rats at a time.

[junglist*]

Originally Posted by leighr33

Revdan, i dunno if im the onl one getting sick of u plugging quails every post you make, but maybe settle a bit on it?

Sook

[cyclamen]

my 7 foot male proserpine carpet, has 1 jumbo adult size rat every 2 weeks, but he is 9 yrs old