Adult Size and Age

[leosantare]

Can a python (Morelia) still grow 2ft or more in length if they are already 4 years old? I specifically made it clear to people that I was looking to buy a python species that would reach 8-10ft in length as an adult if fed properly. I also made it very clear that I would NOT be happy with a python that only got to be 7ft in length. I was told by multiple sources that Boelens, (females) will definitely fit this size range and on average will get to be 9ft. I was told most pythons will/should reach full adult size around 4 years old if fed properly. I was also told that Boelens should not be eating anything larger than a large rat, or an X-large rat in some cases. Therefore, I simply made sure that she was eating large rats, (175g or more) by 4 years old. Well, now she just turned 4 years old and is feeding on one 185g large ray every 7 days, but only 7ft in length. I'm afraid that I grew mine up too slow and just want to make sure that I didn't permanently stunt her growth by doing so. I hope to have her eating one 250-275g large rat every 10 days at some point and she can still grow to 9ft. Please let me know if it's too late for this or if there is still time for her to grow to be 9ft.

Thanks,
Leo

[lefty]

What's the fascination with 9 feet?

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[leosantare]

There is no fascination with 9 feet, I simple prefer to own a pet python that is between 8-10', maybe even 11' tops. I simply would not want to have a python that is less than 8ft, and over 11' is too big. With my size preference aside and more importantly, do you have any answers to my questions?

[Doggtyred]

The answer is "maybe". With time and feeding, they may grow to that size range. Or they may not.

Is it worth it to you to wait and see? Is a 7 foot snake worthless to you?

Its pretty disturbing to see that you appear to be focused on the size of the animal to the detriment of everything else.

[gaitedappy]

The answer is "maybe". With time and feeding, they may grow to that size range. Or they may not.

Is it worth it to you to wait and see? Is a 7 foot snake worthless to you?

Its pretty disturbing to see that you appear to be focused on the size of the animal to the detriment of everything else.

I do have to say, this is true, it might get there at a slow rate, or it might not.. In the long run do you seriously love your snake less if it's not 9ft? Because if so, should you even have the pet to begin with??


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[leosantare]

It is also pretty disturbing to me that you are judging my preference in size with pythons and ignoring what I am asking. I do not judge keepers who prefer small pythons or giant pythons, everyone is different. The most important thing when considering a python as a pet is the size! To me, a python under 8ft is not what I'm looking for and pythons over 11ft can be difficult to manage and are too big for me.

To answer your questions, no I would not love/care for my python any less than if it was the size I wanted. If anyone ELSE can add their input on what I am asking about adult size and age without being judged, please feel free.

[Felidae]

A boeleni female not completely grown at her age 4. It's even a big limit for breeding too. Just patience, with regular meals she will get the dream size.

[Reinz]

Roughly for a lot of constrictors if not most, after 4-5 yrs the growth RATE slows down quite a bit. But she should still grow.
On AVERAGE Boelens get to 9 feet. That means plus or minus is included.

I have no experience with Boelens.

Is your situation normal? Maybe not, but Boelens are rare and there are not lot of people with actual experience as a whole to give an agreed definitive answer.

You may want to rethink that new feeding program. From what I have read, these special snakes have a fast metabolism and one week feeding is the norm.

Going up in food size can put additional strain on their kidneys and liver.
Personally, I would not want this for my snake since Boelens are not considered as hearty as the other pythons. Likewise, this thought may be due to a lack of cumulative experience and is false.

If you yourself raised this snake for 4 years it sounds like you are a very responsible keeper with an attention to details. These snakes are proposed as very difficult to raise. Maybe the secret code has been found and these aren't so difficult now.

I would keep doing what you are doing and see what the next couple of years hold. If you are still disappointed, sell her. I know that I would be interested, maybe if the husbandry is not as difficult as presented.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE post pictures of this mega awesome snake!!
They are soooo cool!

[bsd13]

It may get 8 to 10 feet, it may not. There's absolutely no guarantee one way or another. If someone wants to be absolutely certain they are getting a snake that fits their exact parameters, whatever they might be, buying it as an adult is the best bet.

[Reinz]

I hope DennisM checks in. He has a lot of Carpet experience. He may have some good info and advice.