Reptile & Amphibian Forums

born last July. I just want to know what an acceptable weight would be for a snake that age if it is healthy.

that is always a hard question. Depends on the snake, I have one who eats everything and he weighed 1000 grams when he turned 1. I have another who will be a year in Sept and he is very picky and misses meals and would only eat mice till last weekend (took his first small rat) and he is no where near the size of the other one(I need to weigh him soon and see where he is at).

what does yours weigh? what and how often are you feeding it?

np
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Misty Sprouse Ball Pythons

The current owner told me he did not offer it food in Jan because he does not feed them in Jan.
Also the snake ate nothing in March and April
the owner said it is because he was trying to get them to switch to FT
Then the snake has only eaten one meal in July
When I asked why I was told it was only offered one meal because it is already average sized for it's age and he was not worried about it eating.
I am pretty new to Ball Pythons so I am posting here to find out if this is normal feeding scheduele or method for them.
I am a bit wary and want to make sure this is not out of the ordinary.
Would you say it is pretty safe to buy it?

There is no "Correct" answer to that question. I've been documenting the weights on 20 CH 03's (males and females) for over a year now and making an average chart. You can see that here:
Average Charts
but don't just take the average as gospel. Look at the individual records
Individual charts
and you'll see huge differences in the wieghts between animals such as Female 10 at 271 grams and Male 13 at 947 grams last month. Both started at similiar weights in June of 03' and both of these animals have been offered feed at the same intervals (approx 1X a week) but female 10 will only take mice and refuses a lot~ male 13 would probably eat a doorknob if I warmed it up first. It really depends on the animal.

Hope that helps some! Good luck!
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Cheryl Marchek
AKA JM
Check out my website at:
The Red Dragons Den

This is extremely varied. BPs have a feeding/non-feeding reputation for a reason. They do not eat like corns. That said, I have one 03 that weighs right at 470 grams on empty. He could weigh more but I was trying to convert him to FT so I did not feed him for a couple of months - to get him good and hungry. Still I believe he is at a good weight and is fit and fit looking. In other words, a healthy BP.

I have never had an eating machine that was a BP. All have been sporadic feeders - portray there rep. As long as your BP looks healthy - no loose skin, healthy looking - I would not worry.
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Jay A. Martin

Out of 35 Balls, I only have 4 that are finicky feeders, the rest will eat everything & everything that is offered to them (even in shed). I know it will change with the older animals in winter, but I think Balls are great eaters otherwise.

The 4 finicky animals are all WC or CH animals.
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CB

"I'm a truckin bassmole, and proud of it"

all but 2 of the animals are females, and 2 of my CH 03 girls are over 1100 grams empty. I imagine it will be lower for most male Bp's, as they are probably pickier that the girls, but we'll see.
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CB

"I'm a truckin bassmole, and proud of it"

I've found males to be hardier feeders than females. Consider yourself lucky. The vast majority of BP owners do not share your luck.
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Jay A. Martin