how do these stats sound to the experts??

[daniel1983]

To you guys who have raised alot of ball pythons:

My new female ball python is currently 32'' long, weighs approximately 450, and was hatched in August 2004. How does that sound to you guys? I was told they were feeding her one adult mouse a week. But Saturday, I decide to attempt a feeding (I was feeding my other guy and she was in her hide so I just set two f/t mice in there to see if she would take them), and she ate them both in about 20 minutes time. This made me very happy (since I had only had her for a day!!). Tonight she was out and about so I snapped a quick pic with a ruler near by to take a length measurement. She is getting her 1 week rest after shipping don't worry no handling. I just wanted to get a good opinion of what her size should be about now. Here is the pic I took to help a bit:

[Timiko]

she looks good to me! my girl is 29" long and 448 grms. I feed her 1 mouse 2x a week. and she is doing great. not to fat but growing nicely. she had only ate 3x in a year before I got her . now she is a eating machine! sounds like your girl is too! thats great she ate for you after only 1 day! sounds like she is going to be happy in her new home. good luck and congrats!

[kavmon]

i'm no expert, but i think you could feed bigger (rats) to her and if she is really a she, i would not worry about overfeeding her. i'm not saying it's not a female, my point is that females can carry extra weigth with no problems. i think the first 2 years you can feed alot, just watch it when they are full grown.


vaughn

[Adam_Wysocki]

I have some August hatchlings that are that size ... and many that are bigger too. But I agree with Vaughn, don't be afraid to up the feedings, just keep in mind that she may "adjust" down the road and skip a meal or two.

Nice looking girl!

-adam

[mlededee]

my girl was born in early july. at last measurement she was 31 inches long and weighed about 600 grams. she eats small rats once every 6-7 days.

[daniel1983]

I will up the feedings next week. Thanks guys. I dont have the experiance of watching many snakes 'grow up' so I just wanted to find out if she is where she needs to be.

[jglass38]

Get her on rats ASAP. You will see some real growth!

[DrEwTiMe]

As long as they do not look underfed and skinny to the point that you can see their back bone showing you should not really worry about it.

[daniel1983]

I could tell she is not 'underweight' I was just wondering how she compares to other little girls her age.

[neithersparky]

Huh. Your girl looks and sounds to be about the same size as mine (you even have the same dog dish I do, in that pic ) but the guy who sold Duchess to me said he thought she was about 2 years old! He had *just* gotten her in from the breeder though so I guess she's prolly closer to the same age as yours? Now I feel stupid.