Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a female Ball Python that I purchased 4 1/2 years ago. She was no more than 4 months of age when I purchased her, so that puts her between 4 1/2 and 5 years old. I weighed her for the first time last week and she was 3 pounds 2 ounces and is 4' 3". I think she is too small for her age. She eats well, I feed her a juvenile rat regularly, every 10 days or so, she looks very healthy, skin is good, sheds regularly, very active but I just think she is undersize. What do you guys think? Can everyone post their Ball Pythons length and weight, thanks.

Steve

hey there,
well my girl is about 4'3" as well but she's weighing in at 4 1/2lbs. but i'm not saying that's how much a female bp should weigh. let me know what you find out.

You ball python is undersized. Your ball should be eating large rats at that size.
I have Pastel females that are 1800g that are only 17 months old. You ball is 60 months and still only 2300g at 5lbs. Only 1 lb more than mine and 3 years older in age. Hope this helps.

Image

No chance, I strongly disagree with the guy that just posted. You end up feeding a snake over the top and you end up with a chubby snake....like the pastel just posted.

If your snake is 4-5, 4.5ft, growing slowly, doing well, feeding on a routine....then let it be, I guarantee you, 10 days between feeding is more than what it will be in the wild! I bet your snake is in better condition than all those in the wild also.

I feel strongly about over feeding snakes, it happens with royals, burmese, and retics... in the main. Why do you think Jampeas get 14ft? They don't in the wild.....its because of over feeding,

Keep to your routine, its worked well, and will continue. Your royal will probably out-live most other captive ones by 10 years or more.

do not listen to reptileheaven.....he clearly knows nothing about over feedings or underfeedings....Feed once every 5-7 days (like someone already said) feed her medium rats at first....then step up to bigger ones if she can take it. Your ball should be gaining weight constantly after this routine...I'd Feed once on monday, then the next monday....or tuesday then next tuesday etc... just to make it easier. My Ball is on this schedule and it craps after 4 feedings.