| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SilverWings |
Posted - 10/03/2013 : 19:00:01
Hey guys,
After reading around the forums (particularly the 'is your snake a fatty' topic) I got a bit concerned about my two, so today I weighed them.
Luna, the 3.5ft female, is ~600g, which as far as I can tell is okay. However, Diego, the 4ft male weighs somewhere in the region of 1050g, which I think is just huge. He doesn't have the 'tyre' effect when bending, but I can see a lot of white between his scales. Therefore I've decided he needs to go on a diet. Problem is, I'm not too sure how to approach this.
I haven't yet had to feed them, but they've been fed on a medium mouse every 10 days or so. They live together but are split up for feeding, then put back together (I know co-habiting is a bit controversial here, but I'll just say now, I know the risks but want to keep them living together. I have no intentions of splitting them up permanently). Clearly this feeding schedule is working okay for Luna, since she isn't particularly fat, but Diego needs to go on a diet. The way I see it I have a few options;
~Put them on different feeding schedules. Diego will be fed a medium mouse every 2-3 weeks, Luna will still be fed a medium mouse every 10 days. This will mean that they are rarely fed on the same day. I don't really want to go with this option because I'm not sure how one will react to the other going back in smelling of mouse. Are snakes able to smell like that? I'm not sure.
~Keep feeding them every 10 days but give Diego something smaller, maybe fuzzies or hoppers, so hopefully he drops some weight.
~Feed both of them every 3 weeks days but give Luna 2 mice if she'll take them. Or, feed both of them 1 medium mouse every 3 weeks. However, not sure how this will effect Luna, she's very active, and I don't want her losing any weight since she doesn't look especially chubby.
I'd appreciate any advice on this, it has me a bit confuzzled XD
Thanks a lot,
~SW |
| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 12/03/2013 : 14:27:57
Great news, I'm sure they wil be very happy with their new owner... well, not so happy they are now on a diet lol, but happier in the long run once they are healthier! |
| SilverWings |
Posted - 12/03/2013 : 13:01:04
Yes, they will be getting an extension to their current viv, we're drawing up plans to add a level on the base. |
| smart bunny |
Posted - 12/03/2013 : 12:26:02
As above, they both look a bit on the chubby side, don't think Luna has been as much of a fussy eater as you may have been led to believe! Keeping them together is obviously up to you having read the threads - but I assume you will be buying another viv as the 3ft you got with them is far too small. |
| Jenn |
Posted - 11/03/2013 : 19:13:50
Luna is PURTY!!!! |
| eeji |
Posted - 10/03/2013 : 23:44:58
quote:
Originally posted by Georgina
....Although both look a bit chunky x
I agree with this, both could do with losing a bit |
| Georgina |
Posted - 10/03/2013 : 23:17:11
p.s you should seperate. one being on a diet will mean its hungry and could snap at the other x |
| SilverWings |
Posted - 10/03/2013 : 20:46:14
Thanks, I'll try what you said eeji. Georgina, I don't think they got a lot of exercise in their last home, the guy had quite a few other snakes too which he was more focused on. I'm hoping that I won't need to put Luna on a diet too, since she is getting a bit more exercise now. She loves batting round my room XD |
| Georgina |
Posted - 10/03/2013 : 20:33:47
He's a big boy :) I would follow what eeji says. Although both look a bit chunky x |
| SilverWings |
Posted - 10/03/2013 : 19:56:03
Diego in his rock, before being unceremoniously turfed out for his photo shoot (don't worry, he came out willingly XD). Apart from being adorable, it shows quite nicely all the white in his scales.
From above;
Tail only;
Luna from above;
Both, for comparison.
 |
| eeji |
Posted - 10/03/2013 : 19:50:42
quote:
Originally posted by SilverWings
~Put them on different feeding schedules. Diego will be fed a medium mouse every 2-3 weeks, Luna will still be fed a medium mouse every 10 days. This will mean that they are rarely fed on the same day. I don't really want to go with this option because I'm not sure how one will react to the other going back in smelling of mouse. Are snakes able to smell like that? I'm not sure.
This would be the best way to go about it as Luna doesn't need to alter her schedule, and is the best way for Diego to lose some weight. Feeding him fuzzies won't do him any favours as they are quite high in fat and don't contain as much calcium so feeding mediums once every 2,3 or 4 weeks will still give him required nutrients.
As for them smelling mouse on each other, I don't know. |
| Georgina |
Posted - 10/03/2013 : 19:33:10
can you post pics of both from above plese x |
| SilverWings |
Posted - 10/03/2013 : 19:03:02
I should also add, Luna can be a bit of a fussy eater apparently, so I'm not sure that she would take 2 mice at a time. |
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