Double Feeding Pythons

[Crazy_Snake08]

Hi everybody,

I caught a glimpse of a thread sometime in hte last few days about feeding pythons one meal and then waiting "x amount of time" and then feeding them another meal. I think someone had written 10minutes in between the 1st and 2nd feed, can't quite remember, anyhow, (i) For the life of me I can't find that thread (I'm sure it was only two days ago) and (ii) I was just wondering how many snake keepers give their baby's two meals in a row???

In relation to the thread, I gave it ago and my two snakes willing took the second meal without a second thought. The 1st feed was their normal size meal and the 2nd was slightly smaller. Any pros and cons on these thoughts would be great. By the way I waited 30minutes between the 1st and 2nd feed.

Thanks,
Matthew

[itbites]

G'day matt...yeh lots of threads on here about skarfing and lots of debates about whether it's wrong or right. Anyways i feed my yearling coastals an bredli's 1 every 10 days then 2 at the next feed i generally just put the 2 rats/mice in at the same time and let them decide what they're going to do never had any probs. Just keep in mind over feeding can lead to health issues (MY OPINION) cheers

[Crazy_Snake08]

I didn't know it was called SKARFING???

One concern that comes to mind instantly is obesity. I feed mine on a weekly basis, one at a time. I just thought I would give the double feed a go and see if they were even interested. My female tends to be very fussy, but she took it surprisingly.

Thanks for your input, much appreciated

[Jason.G]

In the wild you would think if a python came across a nest of babies, (birds or rodents) he wouldn't eat one and leave, he would eat mum and dad and all th babies one after the other. Snakes are opotunistic feeders and dont know when there next meel will be. it's a different story if the food item is a little larger.

[mysnakesau]

I double feed often, but only because I often can't get the right size rodent for my snake to begin with. For example my 7foot male is quite capable of eating 500g rats but I can't often get them so I'll give him 2 smaller rats - usually 2 x 150g or 3 weaners or something thereabouts the size is should have. I still can't come to terms with feed them other animals as yet Have fed the odd guinea pig but rabbits and birds? Forget it which is why I offer multiple rodents.

I am still learning how to feed mine without "power feeding" - learning that reptiles aren't like other animals that would starve if provided limited food once a week or fortnight. But I had a scare with my big boy after eating a rat and his gut swelled - turned out to be nothing serious - but still now I am much more careful with temperature and how much I feed them.

[cockney red]

All snakes will take a second offering, as they will still be in feeding response.

[Crazy_Snake08]

Jason: Thanks for that; I always try and think, "what if in the wild". I find that benefical to keeping any pet for that matter. As sometimes we tend to be anthropomorphic and things can get out of hand and the pet is not in the best interest then!

Mysnakesau: I can totally understand your reasoning and I've read quite a bit of positive feedback in realtion to your procedure. In realtion to other "feeds", I've read, especially from this forum, about quails and chickens. There seems to be lots of positive feedback with quail feeding. I'm very keen to give it a go. After all, "You don't know till you give it ago".

Just to mention, I'm not writing this thread to change my feeding habits TOTALLY. I'm just very interested in what other people think about two feeds in the one go. I'm not plumping them up for breeding purposes or size or just to look big and massive.

Any pro's and con's on the topic would be also good.

THanks in advance and previous...

[TrueBlue]

feeding 2-3 items is NOT over feeding at all, feeding to frequentley is.
It is far better to feed 2-3 easy to eat items, than it is to feed 1 large item.