feeding frequency?

[Junk]

so I just got my new baby (3-4months) leo 2 days ago from *****... I know I know everyone hates ***** but they have some very well kept animals in my area, clean cages proper temps and humidities... and I always make sure they fix problems that occur with their animals since I go in every other week to get feeders for my ball pythons

anyways I got some mini mealies and he ate six yesterday before I realized that they were too small so I returned those and got medium mealies (about 1/2 inch) and he ate five today... so my question is how much should he be eating this young?

**edit** and holy crap he just ate 3 more in the time it took me to write this post

could it be that he is just that hungry? or do I need to intervene and stop putting them in there??

 

[JordanAng420]

If he was kept with other leos at *****, then he may have had to compete for food. It's great the store does a good job with their husbandry, but I can guarantee that they don't stand around and make sure every animal has the chance at a cricket or a mealworm. So it's possible he was bullied away from the food. Now that he's in a different environment, and he realizes that he's by himself, he's excited about his own food dish and actually getting to eat.

That's just my theory, anyway.

 

[Tony C]

I let my juveniles eat as much as they want unless they regurgitate, then I dial it back a bit.

 

[Junk]

If he was kept with other leos at *****, then he may have had to compete for food. It's great the store does a good job with their husbandry, but I can guarantee that they don't stand around and make sure every animal has the chance at a cricket or a mealworm. So it's possible he was bullied away from the food. Now that he's in a different environment, and he realizes that he's by himself, he's excited about his own food dish and actually getting to eat.

That's just my theory, anyway.

that was exactly what I was thinking... he was one of the smaller ones and there were about 6 other leo's in that cage

so just let him eat till he pukes and if he does then slow it down a bit?

 

[fl_orchidslave]

Since you already suspect he wasn't getting enough to eat, IMO it's best to build up the amount rather than let him gorge himself in excitement. As a juv he will eat everyday anyway so it won't take long for him to realize there isn't any food competition. It's surprising how much they can eat, some days more than others, but while acclimating to a new home, regurging could stress him and cause him to stop eating.

 

[Junk]

well he is eating regularly now... so all is good