Will an underfed snake have stunted growth?

[jplehmann]

I picked up a few snakes last weekend which had been receiving questionable care for some time. In particular, I saw the feeding card for this Spider, which dates back to 18 months ago when it must have been a baby. In the beginning they were feeding it consistently, every few days (maybe even two much (power feeding?), appears to be sometimes 2 adult mice on 3-5 day intervals), then becoming more normal after that, until about January of this year (10 months ago), when the keeper changed to a guy admittedly too busy. For the last 10 months, it was fed on average once a month -- in one case it was over 2 months between (possibly they forgot to write it down that time). Although, at least recently I think he's been feeding it small rats which is at least a decent meal.

So this Spider (supposedly female), which I estimate to be 1.5 YO weighs 342g (empty). When I first saw it it looked a bit underweight but not too bad. But when I got those numbers, 340 grams after 18 months seems extremely small to me. I would think a ball should be that big after 9-12 months with proper feeding? Am I right?

And if so, could this prolonged underfeeding stunt the snakes growth, or will it catch up after some number of months to where it would normally be?





Also see if you can tell what's wrong with this picture (from his ad):

[PitOnTheProwl]

Could growth be stunted? Anything is possible.
Do you know if food was offered and not eaten or not offered at all?
QT.....

[rabernet]

It will catch up with a normal feeding regimine.

[Daigga]

The probe is just hanging free, and not measuring any heat pad temps?

340 grams is pretty darn low judging on my own records, which have my 3 snakes around that age between 500 and 700. I'm sure with proper feeding she'll catch up, but I wouldn't expect it to happen very quickly. I would think it would just take her a little longer to reach adult size than it would normally take, but I don't think her current size/age ratio will be any indicator on her overall adult size. Her spine does look a little too visible to me, but I wouldn't call her emaciated judging on your pictures.

[jplehmann]

Thanks guys, that sounds positive overall.

I do not know if she had refused food at times. But he said she eats F/T and sure enough, she pretty quickly hit the small F/T rat I gave her yesterday so doesn't currently have an eating problem.

Daigga - you are correct, in identifying the "hanging probe" for +300. May explain the melted through plastic on some of the tubs. Regarding this rack setup which I bought, I have more questions but will ask those separately.