Hello all

[Valley]

New to this thread, but have read it for a while now. Finally got around to posting. There's a lot of knowledge and people not creeped out with snakes! Look forward to becoming an active member. Will most likely be quiet since I don't have the wealth of knowledge as some of you, but that will come in time.

Here's my first question!

I know you can't be exact, but I got my pastel female about 5 months ago, pet shop told me she was about a year old when I got her. Is there anyway to tell an approx age?



When I first got her (There's more hide boxes now, thanks to a couple topics I read before).



Size now. Weight is about 346g.

According to the pet shop and how long I've had her, she's approx a year and a half. That seem about right for the size/weight?

Thanks,
Valley

[Kaorte]

350 is a little small for a snake that age, but they all grow at different rates. Some snakes can get to 300g in 3 months, others might not get there til they are a year old.

Its hard to say for sure, but she very well could be that age. I usually just give my snake a year for their age. So, 2012, 2011, 2010...etc. I don't get any more specific then that.

Very cute little pastel you have there!

[Valley]

I feed her weekly and have never had a problem with her eating. So she could actually be younger than expected? Not that I would be mad about that, just more along the line of curious.

And thanks, she's a beauty! Debating if I want to breed her or not, I've been reading this book so I know exactly what I'd be getting into. Either I'm already thinking about another snake (a male), but I'd rather decide if I will be breeding her or not and decide which I will be going for.

[Kaorte]

True, she could be younger. Perhaps closer to 8 months old. I'd call her an early 2012 hatchling.

Excellent book! I happen to have a copy myself It is a great resource for learning about the keeping and breeding of these animals.

You are in a good spot if you are interested in breeding, as it takes a couple years to raise the females up to breeding weight. This gives you plenty of time to decide what morphs you want to breed for, and allows you to get all the necessary equipment in order. I think most of us who end up on this website eventually end up with plans to breed, whether as a business or just for fun. Whichever you choose make sure you do it because you love it! Don't get caught up in the dollar signs

I started with one about 4 years ago. Now I'm at 27. Not all ball pythons though. Perhaps you will be captivated by some other species

[Valley]

So if she is an early 2012 hatchling, when are they ready to breed? I believe (?) males are ready to breed before females, at around what age is that for both so I know about when to buy a male.

The book is really informative so far! Got it a couple of days ago and almost done with it.

[Valley]

And yeah I can see how you can go from 1 to 27.. There's something about them that 1 isn't enough.. How do you house all of your snakes, in racks? I was thinking of getting the AP T8 cage with dividers. Obviously don't need them this second, but I like thinking into the future.

[BHReptiles]

Females need to be, at a minimum, 1500g before breeding. Males need to be around 500g. She seems a little small for her age. What are you feeding her weekly?

[Valley]

Her age is based off what the shop told me, so I'm not sure if its true or not.

I was feeding her rat pups when I got her, and as she's gotten bigger she is eating small to medium rats.

[Kaorte]

Females are usually ready to breed by their second winter, but some should wait until their 3rd winter. The general rule is when they are 1500g, but sometimes the weight isn't enough for them to be sexually mature. I waited until my snakes 3rd winter (this winter) to start breeding. Males can breed as soon as they are producing sperm plugs. Some as early as 400-500g, but usually around 700-800g, or a year old.

The best part of that book is the pictures. Aaaaaaah!! Excellent photographs!

Yep, I house all (but one) of my ball pythons in a rack system. The tub is my preferred snake enclosure, but some snakes (like my arboreals) demand something a little nicer . Since ball pythons hide all the time, they make a crappy display snake. Which kind of sucks because they are really beautiful!

The ap T8 is not a bad choice. Lots of people have them and I think they look great. I happen to have a bunch of boaphiles from trades/rescues/shows.. so Im going to stick with them since they are stackable. I know his customer service doesn't have the best reputation, but his products are excellent (in my opinion )

Where did you get your pastel from? Did the shop produce her or buy her elsewhere? If they produced her, the age is probably close.. but it does sound like she might be younger than you think.

[Valley]

Yes the shop is a reptile specific and they breed in house, but to me after doing research and reading the age doesn't seem right to me fitting her size/weight as she is now. Especially since she is a female. Which is why I figured I'd get y'all's opinion.

Like I said I wouldn't be mad if she is younger than advertised, I did tell them I wanted a baby (who doesn't enjoy seeing them grow and mature). At the same time I would like a ballpark for breeding if I decide along those lines (especially for knowing when to get a male), but then again I could just rely on her weight for that right?