When do I change my pythons feeds?

[Luvlace]

This is my first snake and I have a 5mth old Darwin Carpet Python. I've had her since she was 2mths old and she was eating one pinkie mouse a week. I upgraded her to one pinkie rat a week for the last 6 weeks and was wondering when do I go up again? I also know that adults would normally eat once every 2-3weeks but when do I know when to feed her less often?

[Cheyne_Jones]

IMO darwins of that age should be ready for fuzzy rats by now, but it all depends on the size of your individual animal.

Does a pinky leave a noticeable bump in you snake after a feed? If not go up in size.

Hope that helps

[Luvlace]

Yeah it does leave a bit of a bump. She is approx 50cm long.

[spilota_variegata]

Frequently Asked Questions

[swaddo]

another measure that isn't in the FAQs ...

I asked almost this exact questions last week and was advised that a good size is about 10% thicker than the snakes thickest point. Might help you to select the right size

[Elapid_Boy]

Originally Posted by swaddo

another measure that isn't in the FAQs ...

I asked almost this exact questions last week and was advised that a good size is about 10% thicker than the snakes thickest point. Might help you to select the right size

yes it is in the FAQ
"A python can eat prey up to 3 times the size of their head and it is advised to feed them prey approximately 2 times the size of their head."

[swaddo]

Originally Posted by Elapid_Boy

yes it is in the FAQ
"A python can eat prey up to 3 times the size of their head and it is advised to feed them prey approximately 2 times the size of their head."

perhaps I should have worded it "A different measure"

[Elapid_Boy]

different brands of rats and mice are not all the same size so i find this measure to be the best, you cannot just have 1-2 months pinkys, 3-4 months fuzzies because one brand could have a fuzzie mice that is 3 times smaller than another. i would have thought when you buy mice/rats you open the bag to check if its the right size for your snake. you get what im saying?

[Luvlace]

Yep So I know what size to feed her.
So when do I know, as she gets older, when to space out her feeds and feed her less often?

[MoreliaMatt]

Originally Posted by Luvlace

Yep So I know what size to feed her.
So when do I know, as she gets older, when to space out her feeds and feed her less often?

as a general rule of thumb i feed once a week for the first 18months then slow to once a fortnight.....

just what i do, other people may have their own opinions, but thats just what i do.....

[dazza74]

if it is too big she will not eat it

[Sdaji]

Twice the size of the head? That's much too small! I just might join the Skaarfing club

[jodocast]

my proserpine is about the same age and size but is eating three pinkie rats 5 mins apart once a week.
it easier for them to digest 3 smaller meals than 1 large one.

[Quigs08]

I have been in a similar position as you in the past and i feel the right size is one that puts a average bulge in you snake at it thickest point. And feeding regularity i generally feed every 7 - 10 days with larger snakes generally about 10 - 14 days.

[Luvlace]

Cool! Thanks for all your help!
Unfortunately I don't think I have to worry too much about what to do when she gets bigger now cos I've just found out we're moving to WA at the end of the year. So my little girl isn't allowed into WA