Sub 300 gram 09 balls forsale

[XSReptiles]

I see many small ball pythons that are sub 300 grams and nearing 12 months of age. Is this common? I'm assuming the breeders are feeding them only every 7 or even 10 days and wanting to keep them in 6qt tubs. But at what point is it a concern to the seller of their size at this age?

I have a 710 gram female pastel I was told she hatched out last June or July she's more than 10 times the weight of when I got her 5 months ago. Recently I picked up a couple new females basically the same age and less than 250 grams on arrival. I wonder what I can except from them, will the pick up the weight on a good feeding schedule and in a years time be of equal or close to equal size? I was concerned in November of getting a 68 gram female that was already 5-6 months old but she seems to not be affected by it thus far.

Thanks
Xavier

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Weight depends on a few variable, how soon the animal is started, prey size and frequency, refusals, the animal itself etc.

I have 2009 that I hatch myself about the same age give or take a few months and they range from 350 grams to 650 grams.

[aalomon]

I have n early '09 pewter that just hit 300g this week. He wasnt the best feeder throughout the year. Ate enough so that he didnt look thin but wasnt really growing. About a month or two ago he took off and is growing normally. Maybe hes just a '10 at heart.

[Strtaylor]

Ya i would say it really depends on the snake itself, how often it is offered food and how often it refuses. Also some snakes are just going to be smaller than others. I have 3 09's all hatched around the same time from different clutches. My Big male is breaking 850 grams and breeding, My female is right at 780ish, and my smaller male is at like 650. All fed same day and none have refused food at all. Id say snakes like people are all genetically going to grow differently. Just my opinion on it!

[UltimatePythons]

Some of my snakes gain fast and some are slow. It all depends on the snake. I have a 5 year old female that is double het for Jollif snow and she only weighed in at 1190g. I have others that are about 3 years old weigh from 1600g to 2500g. I offer all of them the same amount of feeders. I feel that it is alot safer for the snakes to be brought up to breeding weight at their own pace. And some gain and eat alot and others don't. The only concern should be if your snakes are healthy. I would have no problem buying a snake that isn't gaining that fast as long as it is healthy. Hope this helps.

By the way I have two late 09's that are under 100g and they eat fine just not as much as my others. Their health is number one in my book.

Josh

[A.VinczeBPs]

I have a late '09 that is sitting at 400g right now. She went off feed for a month for a while and is just lately been gaining the weight.
While in the same clutch I sold three others almost three months back and they were already 300-400g. All were fed the same size every week.

Depends on the individual ball python really, if they eat each time and how fast each grows.

[Jeremy78]

I like to think te best of people and blame it on good breeders .
Reason...
A lot of breeders will hold back there picky eaters until they become established eaters. As soon as they start takig meals then they sell them. Or they could be late 09s.

[XSReptiles]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Seems like the general agreement is that a perfectly healthy snake could still be reality small at several months of age.

Xavier