a Small Ball, please help!

[HardcorePython]

I recently adopted a Ball Python that is said to be around 4-5 yrs old. I am afraid though he might be undersize and weight. Is there anyway with consistent feeding and good husbandry that this beautiful snake might still have potential to grow to a good size? He looks like he may be around 3ft long and am not sure how much he weighs. He is eating small rats now. Thanks for any help, and tips.

[tmlowe5704]

Well there is nothing typical about these snakes. As long as he is well rounded and not triangular shaped there is nothing wrong with him.

[HardcorePython]

I was just curious though even though he is a little older is there still a change of him growing to possibly 4-5ft. and gaining some good weight? Or has past bad husbandry stunted him for life? Just curious if anyone has any advice, thanks.

[tmlowe5704]

I was just curious though even though he is a little older is there still a change of him growing to possibly 4-5ft. and gaining some good weight? Or has past bad husbandry stunted him for life? Just curious if anyone has any advice, thanks.

His genetics may not allow him to grow to that length. All you can do is feed properly and house him properly to see how things may change.

[HardcorePython]

Thanks for the help and advice. I will do my best to give this snake all that he deserves.

[AzureN1ght]

I think the "average" for males tends to be 3-4ft anyway...so it could be that no amount of feeding him/good husbandry will make him grow. It's the females that get on the larger side--and even then, there are no guarantees that they'll get 5+ feet.

Though if he was in a bad place before you bought him, I'm glad to hear that he's come to a good home and that you intend on keeping him in better conditions

[MATT FISHER REPTILES]

a good rule of thumb is if the animal is still alive it can become healthy. unless it has ibd(aids for snakes) i have seen some awesome turn arounds from members on this site who adopted sick and injured animals. .

[kellysballs]

I adopted a 3 year old male ball python last August. He weighed 600grams! After 3 months of eating a small rat ever week he gained over 300 grams. He is now thriving. I never measured his length but he is a good size and is in a great home now as a pet.

As long as you give your little guy good care and enough to eat he should be fine health-wise. Lenth is somthing else and as some one else said it is variable on the sex of the animal and it's genetics.

If your guy doesnt seem to be gaining any weight you can always take one of his BM's to your vet to test for internal parisites. I would pick up a scale, there is one for less than $30 at walmart that will help you moniter his progress.

[HardcorePython]

Right on, thanks everyone for the encouragement!

[ziggy7]

I also adopted a 3 yr old male last year. In maybe July i think. He was under sized 565grams. And kept in horrible conditions. No heat pad of any sort, no hide, no humidity, cage looked like it hadnt been cleaned in a year or more. He is now up to 1000grams and seems very healthy. He is still shy but healthy. He whistles when he sheds other than that no problems. It took about 6 sheds before he finally lost all the eye caps he had. And he seems to see fine now.

From what i have gathered from this expierence is that they are very resilient snakes and given a chance can usually make a healthy recovery. Also he is a eating machine as a result of being starve for so long. At least that is what i think. He has never refused food.