Posted by:
BrianSmith
at Sun Feb 29 17:03:54 2004 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by BrianSmith ]
I did a study some years back involving the growth of pythons (more species than just the burmese) in relation to the amount of food they consume and in turn what percentage of growth was achieved (pounds to inches) in correlation with the size and age of the snake. I discovered a fairly stable and predictable geometric pattern that applies to both males and females alike. It's pretty complex, but paradoxically simple too. I won't post my findings here verbatum as they are destined for a book but I will fly by memory and generalize and still get some useful information out.
Here's what it basically comes down to: A hatchling burmese (roughly 2 feet) will convert each pound of food into roughly 1 foot of growth if consumed in a month period. A 3 foot burmese will convert 2 pounds of food into 1 foot of length in the same period. A 4 foot burmese will convert 4 pounds of food into 1 foot of growth. And a 5 foot burmese will convert 8 pounds of food into 1 foot of growth. It continues on like this for a while (I rounded things out, it will be a little different but still the same concept) until the snakes reach a sub-adult stage at about 9 or 10 feet. At this point it becomes something closer to 32 pounds converts into 8 to 10 inches as a large percentage of the consumed food now is diverted towards girth and mass of the adult python body. By the time the females reach 12 or 13 feet it may be 48 pounds becomes 2 or 3 inches. This is where one needs to be cautious and realize that feeding more will not make a snake grow more, but will only cause them to become obese, or "fat".
If anyone that keeps feeding and growth records (Jtrott)  takes the time to go over your records you will find the pattern in exacting terms of just how many inches your snake grew per weight of food it ingested in "X" period of time (usually one month is a good measurement as it is long enough to measure results and not so long that incremental percentages are lost) at "X" age. (an older snake that is small will not achieve the same growth percentages that a similarly sized, younger snake will achieve)
I welcome any feedback (no pun intended, lol) from various keepers that maintain accurate records.
>>Hello,
>>
>>I've been reading the posts on this forum and have noticed several people with questions regarding the size of Burmese pythons and how the growth rates can be affected by feeding regimens. Since I, too, have been wondering the specifics of Burmese python feeding, I was wondering if anyone knows if a comprehensive study has ever been performed regarding feeding scheduals and growth rates of both male and female Burms. Or, if not a study, just if a chart has been published (online) detailing the average growth rates and appropriate feeding scheduals of males and females. For example, if a male is fed an appropriately sized meal once a week, he can be expected to reach _____ in one year, _____ in two years, etc.. If he is fed more than once a week... etc., etc., within ranges that are healthy for the snake.
>>
>>If such a chart doesn't exsist, well, that makes sense, as it seems like it would be a daunting task to document. However, if anyone does know of such a thing, please let me know, as I'd be curious to see it.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>-----
>>A. Fox
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Believe in yourself and your abilities and you can accomplish anything.
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RE: Burmese Python Growth Rates? - BrianSmith, Sun Feb 29 17:03:54 2004