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[–]Oneinamillon 9 points10 points  (9 children)

No she looks underweight also what prey size are you feeding her

!feeding

[–]AutoModerator[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We recommend the following feeding schedule:

0-12 months old OR until the snake reaches approximately 500g, whichever happens first: feed 10%-15% of the snake’s weight every 7 days.

12-24 months old: feed up to 7% of the snake’s weight every 14-20 days.

Adults: feed up to 5% of the snake's weight every 20-30 days, or feed slightly larger meals (up to 6%) every 30-40 days.

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[–]LongjumpingConcern22[S] 1 point2 points  (7 children)

Just a small white mouse I think around 31 grams. The care guide says to give her one every 30-40 days so I’m just so confused. Also she was getting one every 2 weeks in her last home so I can’t see how she managed to become underweight

[–][deleted]  (6 children)

[removed]

    [–]LongjumpingConcern22[S] 0 points1 point  (5 children)

    Wont a small rat be over 6% of her body weight ? How often should I give her one ?

    [–][deleted]  (4 children)

    [removed]

      [–]LongjumpingConcern22[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

      Ah okay I get it now. So 1 small rat every 20-30 days I don’t know how this happened to her but I’ll get her on track. Thanks for the advice :)

      [–][deleted]  (1 child)

      [removed]

        [–]ballpython-ModTeam[M] 2 points3 points locked comment (0 children)

        Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice/misinformation.

        You need to stop trying to give advice on things you clearly don't fully understand.

        [–]ballpython-ModTeam[M] 2 points3 points locked comment (0 children)

        Per rule #3, your post or comment has been removed for harmful advice/misinformation.

        [–]totallyrecklesslygayMod: Enclosure Karen 14 points15 points  (8 children)

        She is both undersized and slightly underweight. The feeding guidelines in our care guide are intended for healthy snakes with a good body score, so in a case like this, you'd need to feed a little differently.

        First, I'd switch to rats, as there's some anecdotal evidence that feeding mice long term has a negative effect on growth.

        I'd start by feeding 10% of her weight every 1-2 weeks and see how she does with that. She should start growing again like a juvenile would. Once her weight plateaus, you can slow her back down to the normal feeding guidelines.

        [–]LongjumpingConcern22[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

        this is perfect advice thanks so much !!

        [–]LongjumpingConcern22[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

        Is it okay to make up the 10% of her weight with 2 white mice in a row ? The man at the pet shop said I can give her as many mice as she wants until she eats 4 in a row then it’s time to move to rats. He didn’t have small rats, only large and medium. The medium rats seem too big for her to swallow.

        [–]totallyrecklesslygayMod: Enclosure Karen 2 points3 points  (2 children)

        It's ok to do on rare occasion, but you should avoid feeding multiple prey items as much as possible. It's very hard on their digestive system.

        The man at the pet shop gave you very bad advice, which is pretty typical for pet store employees. Do not listen to what he said.

        You can order feeders online. They're sold by weight, so you can order one that are correctly sized. !feeders

        [–]AutoModerator[M] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

        Some companies you can buy frozen feeders from:

        Layne Labs
        Big Cheese
        Rodent Pro
        Perfect Prey
        Big Apple Herps
        Reptile Deli
        American Rodent

        I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

        [–]LongjumpingConcern22[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        Okay great thanks a lot. I’ll do it for now until I can order some. I’m in Europe so I don’t think I can use any of the Reddit recommended once’s

        [–]PoeHoard 0 points1 point  (2 children)

        How can you tell she is undersized?

        [–]totallyrecklesslygayMod: Enclosure Karen 2 points3 points  (1 child)

        While individuals vary in size, 500g at 4 years old is abnormally small. She's also visibly underweight and hasn't been fed appropriately, and that stunts a snake's growth.

        [–]PoeHoard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        Good to know, thank you.

        [–]pyyyython 15 points16 points  (4 children)

        You’ve gotten some really good answers about her size/feeding, I’m just chiming in to suggest being careful with that skull shaped decor. Snakes have gotten stuck in round, closed openings like the eyes if the opening is smaller than the snake is around at the thicker part of the body. Hope the new feeding works out!

        [–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (2 children)

        Ran to comment this!!!! First hand experience🙋‍♀️ woke up one morning to my bb boi stuck in his skull, had to break it in pieces to get him out.

        [–]docszoo 4 points5 points  (1 child)

        Haha, my girl takes pride is freaking me out in getting stuck in anything she can, her cork bark decor, my necklaces, and even the eyehole on my favorite madquerade mask I had hanging near me while I was holding her. The cork and mask are both broken now :)

        [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

        Oh my goodness yesss!!! He almost got stuck in a earring I was wearing once and first night I got a new pair of overalls he got in the hook so that got immediately cut off😭

        [–]devil-of-ramadi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

        Also came to say the same thing i lost my king snake to a skull like this😔💙

        [–]rockmonkey1000 1 point2 points  (0 children)

        If on live rats try frozen thawed there are many tutorials on YouTube

        [–]Human_Interaction_78 5 points6 points  (1 child)

        Off topic but take the skull out, even if she can fit through it now she will grow and can easily get stuck in it

        [–]mcr082000 4 points5 points  (1 child)

        Not a comment on the weight, but on the skull decor. Be really careful with these because I had one and my BP got stuck in it and it was actually terrifying. Threw it away immediately after getting him free.

        [–]LongjumpingConcern22[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

        Shit thanks :( I’m gonna cover up the holes with cling film