Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I am relatively new to snake collecting (I actually never even liked the idea of snakes until about a year ago). I was first introduced to the idea when I decided to convert a small aquarium to a terrarium and went to a reptile breeder to learn the best choice for me. To make a long story short I ended up taking home what they called a "Red Phase" Common Red Tail Boa. I absolutely fell in love with her, which prompted me to pick up a baby Ball Python shortly thereafter for my wife (she has always loved snakes and laughed at me for my "fear" of them, but became extremely jealous of my new baby). Both of these two are doing great, eating great and growing very healthily.

Now for the reason of this post, although I had my apprehensions about snakes, I have always loved Albino Burmese, every time I would see one I could just sit and stare at them for hours, absolutely the most beautiful snake I have ever seen. One day I was at the same breeder that I purchased the Boa at and they had some baby Albino Burms (I posted a couple months ago about the wonderful temperament of the animal) and I couldn't resist, I had to have one. Now, before anyone says anything about my newness to the snake world, let me first say that yes I am fully prepared to handle an animal of his size and lifespan and I did tons of research about the proper care before I got the snake. My question is this though: I do not wish to power feed the snake and have tried to keep him on a good maintenance diet, not to limit his growth, but to keep him on a healthy schedule. I feed him a small rat once a week, it shows a slight bulge in his belly after he eats so I believe I am feeding the right size. What my concern is, is that he has gone from about 2 ft long when I got him (3weeks old) to only about 4 ft at 6 months old. From what I gather from many of the posts I read on here, I feel that he is perhaps a little small for his age. Everything seems fine as far as his girth (he isn't thin) he eats very well (I did try to feed him 2 rats on one occasion and he regured the 2nd one). I appreciate the time you have taken to read this (I know I can ramble on, lol) and appreciate any input any of you may have.

Thank you

Most young Burms will eat whenever the food is offered.
I feed every 5 days.

You didn't say what size rat is being fed.

If the snake regurged when fed two rats in a week's span, it's my thought that the rats being fed were too large. I would rather feed my snakes 2 smaller prey items than one large prey.

Watch the temps and don't handle the snake for a couple days it has fed.

Have you had a stool sample checked for parasites?

Burms, like other animals, humans included come in different sizes.
If your snake is a male, it is more than likely he will not get to the size that a female can attain.

Bill

As I mentioned in the orininal post, I am feeding small rats. Temps and humidity are fine, everything is by the book, he just seems smaller than I would imagine from everything I read on here about average growth rates for a baby.