Different types? Royal , spider, etc...?

[joymjc]

I know that there are differnet types such as the regular dark brown on tan or albino but I never heard of royals or spiders or any other name like that. What are the differences?

I have had my snake, D, for 4 1/2 yrs I got him the day of his 1st shed and he is now right at 4ft and eats a med. rat every 2 weeks or so. He is a regular black and tan snake. What would he be called?

Also is he the right size for his age? I don't think he is big enough but I want to know for sure.

Thanks

[thewesterngate]

Definitely check the morph guide on this website, it'll answer a lot of your questions. Royal python is another name for ball python because of their scientific name Python regius. Spiders are pattern morphs, most others are color. Worldofballpythons.com also has a huge morph list.

[joymjc]

thanks

[Kymberli]

I agree, check out the morph guide here on this forum. Click "forum" at the top and it shows all different types of morphs (recessive, dominant, co-dominant, and designer). Also, yours is most likely a normal or "wild type" ball python. And you should probably be feeding every 7 days, not every two weeks or so. I doubt yours is "too small" for his age. Males tend to be much smaller than females, though if you think he is too small I suggest posting pictures. Since you've been feeding "every two weeks or so" he may be just a bit underweight but again, no way to tell without seeing him.

[cdavidson9]

worldofballpythons.com is probably one of the best morph sites out there.

However... JLC has been working on something unbelieveably awesome on BP.net! She has outdone herself.. I.E. Check out the morph guide here

[joymjc]

thank you everyone for your input, as soon as i can I will try to get some pics posted, but i'm not sure if he is a he or if he is a she, and there is no one here in Albany that I know that can tell me. Is anyone out there from my area that knows where I might go to find out? I think you are right about him being a "normal" though.

[Kymberli]

thank you everyone for your input, as soon as i can I will try to get some pics posted, but i'm not sure if he is a he or if he is a she, and there is no one here in Albany that I know that can tell me. Is anyone out there from my area that knows where I might go to find out? I think you are right about him being a "normal" though.

You can try to find an experienced exotic vet who is familiar with popping/probing Ball Pythons, but other than that I'd have no suggestions here. As frustrating as it might be to not know whether you have a male or female, it really does not matter unless you intend to breed him/her.

[cecilbturtle]

every two weeks is fine to feed an adult ball python. their metabolism slows down as they age. I've always kept my adults on a 2 week schedule and they are plump and happy

[JLC]

every two weeks is fine to feed an adult ball python. their metabolism slows down as they age. I've always kept my adults on a 2 week schedule and they are plump and happy

I was just going to say this, but you beat me to it....so I'll simply agree with you. Especially if feeding a larger prey item such as a medium rat. Every two weeks is plenty for an adult.

[joymjc]

I like the Harry Potter quote at the end of the last thread. And thank you about the feeding bit. I watch D closely, he is a fairly lazy snake but when he is hungry he comes out of hiding to hunt that is usually when I get his dinner, if the two weeks are not up.