diff --git a/js/snake.js b/js/snake.js
index 3c9dabe0..fb3f49bb 100644
--- a/js/snake.js
+++ b/js/snake.js
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ SNAKE.Snake = SNAKE.Snake || (function() {
         var me = this,
             playingBoard = config.playingBoard,
             myId = instanceNumber++,
-            growthIncr = 5,
+            growthIncr = 5000,
             moveQueue = [], // a queue that holds the next moves of the snake
             currentDirection = 1, // 0: up, 1: left, 2: down, 3: right
             columnShift = [0, 1, 0, -1],