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hello- I just adopted a BP from the local animal shelter (the poor thing was badly burned by one of those f-ing hot rocks). I think it's a male from the long spurs, but I am not 100% sure. He was weighed at the shelter - 1.8lbs. Is this about right for 43"? I have a hunch he should be a little beefier.

perhaps a couple photos would help:

Once he got burned (approx 2/3 the length of his underside), he went off feed, and that was about 6 weeks ago. I am hoping that after he settles down a bit in a far more appropriate cage, he'll be able to put some weight on.

If he weighs about 1.8 pounds then he weighs just over 800 Grams.
If it was a female, at 43 Inches it would be good if it weighed about 1400 to 1600 Grams, so that would make him about 600 to 800 Grams underweight. since it is a male he probably should not have to be quite that heavy, but could probably still use another 500 Grams or so (or just over one pound), so that would make him weigh about 1300 Grams or 2.5 to 3 pounds.
Hope this helps,

Rob Reiding.

He doesn't really look overly thin to me and considering he's been off feed he doesn't look too bad at all. Remember a chunky snake is not necessarily a healthy snake. A couple of mice or rats and he'll probably be at a very good weight. Any idea of how old he is? He's got some nice coloring! Because of his health issues you may want to try feeding him some smaller food items until healed and he gets back on his feet so to speak! Congrats on your new addition!
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Tosha

"Stupid is forever, ignorance can be fixed." Don Wood

"Of course, that's only my opinion...and I believe I am God." =) Chris Bianco

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I can't see any spine or ribs, but I always tend to think of BPs as a bit chunky (I am used to boas). I certainly wouldn't want him obese, but I guess a little extra weight might be nice incase he goes off feed again.

How old? The shelter told me the previous owner said about 1-1/2 years old, and that he'd been fed every two weeks (but what and how much, I don't know other than he ate live food). I offered him a thawed small mouse the evening I got him, though I didn't expect him to take it (stress from the trip and new enclosure), and he didn't. I'll try again in a few days.

You're welcome. In case he only eats live mice and if you are able to keep some mice, instead of feeding them direct from your mouse supplier you could keep them for a week or two before feeding them to your BP and feed the mice a wild bird food that mainly has nuts in them and has about 40% fat. That will make the mice nice and chubby before you feed them to your BP. Just somthing that I have done with a female BP that would not eat any rats until recently.
Hope he does well for you.

Rob Reiding.