| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| headlow |
Posted - 08/06/2010 : 19:48:56
Hello all.
I was handling my 4 footish Corn earlier, and noticed that his backbone protrudes slightly. Is this as sign that he's on the thin side. He currently gets 1 medium mouse per week. He was on large mice for a while, but I was worried that he'd get fat.
Should I increase the food size, or could the visible backbone be a sign of another illness?
Many thanks,
Justin |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Kellog |
Posted - 10/06/2010 : 02:54:59
It certainly would help to know his weight Justin, so we can get some idea of what he should be feeding on. When you feed him the medium mouse once a week is there a bump? If not then he could probably do with being moved up to large mice.
Just as an example I feed Silvesta, who is just under 4', is approx nearly 4 yrs old and weighs 330g 2 medium mice once a week. I will move him up to large as soon as I have finished this lot of mediums. Kellog, my 5yr old, is 4'6" and weighs about 700g....he is now on a maintenance diet of one jumbo mouse every 2 weeks.
This thread may interest you, especially Blackecho's post about what shape your snake would be if you cut him in half....triangular (thin), an arch (just right) or circular (overweight) - http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9816
In the pics he certainly looks fine, although it can be hard to tell from a pic. And it is always best to ask....I have been keeping corns for about the same time as you and know I still have so much to learn. Even the most experienced keepers on here will admit that they dont know everything  !! So keep asking!
xxx
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| LittleMick |
Posted - 10/06/2010 : 00:09:29
If you start seeing the spaces between the scales when he is in a relaxed state (not feeding) or curled up, this is a sign he is getting chubby. Obviously a set of scales is an ideal way  . |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 08/06/2010 : 23:28:48
If it helps, you can see the spine of my obese snake XD |
| amanda121921 |
Posted - 08/06/2010 : 23:17:10
yup, he looks ok to me too. you could try him with the larger mice and then move him back down again if he does get too chubby. cant really say more than that tho coz mine are still young uns! |
| headlow |
Posted - 08/06/2010 : 20:47:26
Cheers Matt, that's put my mind at rest. I've only been keeping snakes just over a year, and am still on the learning curve. I thought it best to ask though.
I think I'll finish the medium mice I have (a couple months worth) and move up to large, as he really gets the mediums down very fast. |
| matty18714 |
Posted - 08/06/2010 : 20:42:59
The snake looks a fine weight to me. |
| headlow |
Posted - 08/06/2010 : 20:39:41
Hannah when he was on large he was getting fed every 7 days.
Matt, here's a couple photo's that were taken last week to show what turned out to be a badly retained shed on the underside of his neck, that's been fully sorted now. They don't really show the backbone, but they'll give you an idea of the snakes weight. I should also say that its like a little ridge running down his back.
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| matty18714 |
Posted - 08/06/2010 : 20:21:11
The spine should be defined, though not sticking out of the snake. A photo would help to determine wether its under weight or not.
Edit - spelling |
| HannahB |
Posted - 08/06/2010 : 20:17:00
when he was on large mice how often were you feeding? quite a few people on here feed their corns large mice on a 7-10day basis (some less often) and yes they do gain a bit of weight but it soon evens out |
| headlow |
Posted - 08/06/2010 : 20:03:22
I've no idea of his weight to be honest. I must get my finger out and weigh all my snakes.
He didn't look porky when he was on the large mice, but I was just worried that he would get that way.
To be honest I don't really think he's ill. He eats and poops OK, and is very active. He did have a very bad shed last week, but I think that was down to the fact that he didn't really make use of his moist hide. |
| amanda121921 |
Posted - 08/06/2010 : 19:55:15
im no expert but i guess a visable backbone could be an indication that he's a little on the thin size. how much does he weigh?were you weighing him while he was on the large mice?was he looking a bit porky or did you just change because you were worried he might get that way? sorry for all the questions but the answers might help someone with a little more experience be able to point you in the right direction.my kasey has started to get a slightly protruding backbone when he was off his food for a few months so apart from that, i've not got the experience to be able to help you. hopefully someone who can will be along soon to put your mind at rest |
