Seamus Haley
Big Game Hunter
Getting back to something David said which I agree with though...
Snakes do not eat only when they are hungry or when they *should* ingest prey to maintain a healthy calorie intake, they frequently eat simply because food has become avaliable.
It is possible to powerfeed an animal to an unhealthy level. Offering food too frequently and allowing the animal's instincts to dictate their intake is not going to be healthy long term. Much better to use a healthy schedule and modify the feeding regime based on the age, weight, breeding condition, gender and general health of the animal than to say "Offer it food constantly, when it eats, it needed it." that's just as bad as advice suggesting NOT to feed until an animal deficates.
Snakes do not eat only when they are hungry or when they *should* ingest prey to maintain a healthy calorie intake, they frequently eat simply because food has become avaliable.
It is possible to powerfeed an animal to an unhealthy level. Offering food too frequently and allowing the animal's instincts to dictate their intake is not going to be healthy long term. Much better to use a healthy schedule and modify the feeding regime based on the age, weight, breeding condition, gender and general health of the animal than to say "Offer it food constantly, when it eats, it needed it." that's just as bad as advice suggesting NOT to feed until an animal deficates.