Slow Growth, Loose Stool

[mbaker8686]

So I purchased two hatchlings in January, I was told that they were late 2011's. My mojave male eats like a machine and puts on weight like it is his job, he has gone from 130 grams up to 365 grams in the time that I have had him. He is on a 7 day schedule of being offered 1-2 rat fuzzies (He eats, I give him about 45 mins, and he usually eats again). My pinstripe male was purchased at the same time, he is just not growing as fast. He never takes the second meal, but always the first. He has grown from 90 grams up to 230 in the same time frame. I know all snakes have their own personality, but he is also more lethargic than the mojave. He has had a few solid poops but most of them have been loose. Is it time for a vet visit? Sheds have been great, he never refuses a meal, I just don't want to come home and find him not moving in his tub.

[Skittles1101]

I definitely wouldn't be worried about the growth rate, as they all grow differently even on the same schedule. If you're worried about his stools, you can always take a sample to the vet, most only charge about $30 for the sample to test for parasites, and usually they only need to see the animal if it's positive. If it's negative then you ruled out parasites...which would probably be my only concern. What do you mean lethargic though? Because I have some that are very excitable and curious and others that could care less, but lethargic definitely isn't the word I would use...

[Homegrownscales]

I would also do a fecal from the pin. It's never a bad thing to get a parasite check.


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[Slim]

Honestly, it sounds to me like you have two perfectly normal ball pythons who are growing at their own rates.

One of the wonderful, frustrating, fascinating, things about ball pythons is that they do things at their rate and in their own time...not ours.

[Royal Hijinx]

They definitely grow and eat at different rates. I have a 200-300g difference in some that are about the same age. And since it is a male, I really would not worry too much, not as much of impetus to get on size.