Growth rates...

I purchased my 1st Pastel female in feb 2011 at two months old. She is now 16 months old and weighs 1024 g. as of tonight. She's never missed a meal since I've had her. I also bought a fire male from the same breeder he is 15 months old and only weighs 513 g. He was a slow starter and has missed two meals since I've had him...but he has been fed the same sized prey and schedule as the pastel. He is easily as big around as the female but is much shorter...I've heard of spiders growing/feeding like monsters, but pastels? Anyone else have fast growing pastels or did I just luck out?

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Originally Posted by AJs Snake House

I've heard of spiders growing/feeding like monsters, but pastels? Anyone else have fast growing pastels or did I just luck out?

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You lucked out. :P Our pastels seem to be finicky. We have a 2010 male pastel that is only 650 grams. He has always been a mediocre feeder and slow grower. It is a shame because he is otherwise an amazing example of the morph. Our other male pastel is also a less than spectacular eater. We do have a female pastel that will eat anything and everything placed in front of her, so not every pastel is a pain. Similarly our spiders were almost always bottomless pits and strong breeders.

My female pastel is a pig as well, I think she's only missed maybe 2 meals since having her. Yay to good, strong eaters :gj:

My female pastel has only not eaten in shed. Other than that she's a garage disposal.

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Originally Posted by AJs Snake House

but he has been fed the same sized prey and schedule as the pastel. He is easily as big around as the female but is much shorter...

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You have a classic example of the fact that all ball pythons grow at their own rate.

I have a similar issue, but with the Clown gene. My 2 Het Females came from the same clutch as my Male. Their 7 months old, and my females weigh around 280 grams, and my male is 414 grams. They all eat like garbage disposals, and eat anything that I offer them. It just boggles my mind at the size difference.

Trey