Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm curious...is there an accepted age/weight ratio that qualifies any particular BP as a juvenile, sub-adult, or adult?

In other words...when do they officially become juveniles, sub-adults, or adults?

Thanks,
Chris
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"If only you would use your powers for Good." -- B. Russell Bethea

look at it from a logical standpoint and as far as male and female, cause a male can breed at 500 grams
juvenile=a snake that is nowhere close to sexual maturity and way to young to breed
sub-adult=will SOON reach sexual maturity but breeding not recommended yet
adult has reached sexual maturity and will breed efficiantly

i would say
juveniles=newborn-2 years
sub adult 2-3 years
adult 3
for females

for males same as females but you can cut some breeding corners
500 grams and sperm plugs

also just because they have the weight does not mean that there bodies are ready or fully matured

IF I AM WRONG PLEASE CORRECT ME ILL ADMIT BEING WRONG
THIS IS MY OPINION AND MY OPINIONS DO NOT REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF OTHERS

I disagree....I think it is more with length..... I alsom tink there are more than just juevinile sub adult and adult....probably like this...

hatchling= 12-20"

juevanile= wrong spelling= 20-32"

sub adult= 32-40"

adult 42- full length....

some people powerf feed and all that and their balls could be about 2 foot in 6 months but still only be a baby... for females its a little different since there maximum length is different but a health ball python shouldnt reach there full length and weight til around 3-4 years but in my oponion can safely breed at around 33" for males or 3' for females which is around the 2 year mark,
just my 2 cents
Jake

I would have to disagree with the length idea. I have an adult male and he is only about 38 inches. Some adults never get to 42". I don't believe he is going to get any longer than that either. I think the length of time would be more accurate. But I'm sure there are a few more different opinions out there. Just my thoughts...
= )

Circusfan

A lot has to do with how close they are to breeding so the sex of the snake comes into play. I think people manipulate the phrase in the classifieds but from what I have noticed it kind of goes like this.

Hatchlings & juveniles female(up to 400-500g)
male (up to 400g
Sub-Adults Female(500g-1200g)
Male (400-600g)

Adults (ready to breed)
Female (1200gand up)*1200 on the small side
Male (600g and up)*600 on the small side. Males are considered adults whenever producing sperm plugs.
Females are need weight and maturity to be ready to breed

**Again I am not a pro as you can see from some of my posts but this is what I have learned.

-Bill

I may be wrong on this but this is my perception of it.

This sounds to me like an excellent guage, however I think, that when considering weights, the snakes age should also be taken into concideration. For example: a powerfed female at 1300 could still be a too young and not ready to breed yet. JMO.
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Tosha

1.1.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy)
0.1.0 Siberian Husky (Kita)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
5.4.2 Fish (1,2,3,4...)
0.0.1 Frog rescued from pool skimmer
0.0.2 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

I forgot to put that in my post. I have a 1000g female that will probably not be ready untill 2006.