Question about my bp's weight

I got my first ball python a little over a month ago and I was worried about his weight cause his skin seems really loose and you can see his spine, yet the store told me he had shed before. I know they were probably lying but i'm worried he's underweight or something.
This is him the day I got him
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...nfucios002.jpg
This was when I fed him a few days ago
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...hua/eat008.jpg

Does he look normal? I'm new to all this so it may be a stupid question

Welcome to BP.net!

If you got your BP from PetSmart or PETCO, I can almost promise you it was under weight.

Your second picture shows that you have already put some good weight on him. They all grow at their own pace, and there is no rule of thumb for how fast they reach certain weights.

If you continue to feed him the correct amount (10-15% of his body weight every 5-7 days), then he will continue to progress.

ow many times have you been able to feed it in the last month? What type and size of prey are you feeding?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slim

Welcome to BP.net!

If you got your BP from PetSmart or PETCO, I can almost promise you it was under weight.

Your second picture shows that you have already put some good weight on him. They all grow at their own pace, and there is no rule of thumb for how fast they reach certain weights.

If you continue to feed him the correct amount (10-15% of his body weight every 5-7 days), then he will continue to progress.

ow many times have you been able to feed it in the last month? What type and size of prey are you feeding?

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Thank you :)

I see. :( They had one that looked bigger but they said they had just gotten that one in.

I feed him f/t pinkies once a week and he seems to not have a problem with them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by confucius

I feed him f/t pinkies once a week and he seems to not have a problem with them.

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That's what I was afraid of. That is what we call a maintenance diet. It's what the pet super stores feed their BPs so they stay small and cute.

Your snake should be on rat pups at least. Pinkies are much too small...even rat pinks are too small at this point.

I urge you to go buy a scale so you can weigh your BP, then feed it 10-15% of it's body weight every 5-7 days.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slim

That's what I was afraid of. That is what we call a maintenance diet. It's what the pet super stores feed their BPs so they stay small and cute.

Your snake should be on rat pups at least. Pinkies are much too small...even rat pinks are too small at this point.

I urge you to go buy a scale so you can weigh your BP, then feed it 10-15% of it's body weight every 5-7 days.

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I didn't know that. :(

Thanks for the info. I'll have to switch his diet next time I can get to the store.
Okay, i'll try that. Thanks for all the help.

It looks very nice.Thanks for sharing.

Looks nice :) Our male is a little on the skinny side, he was when we got him. His skin seemed quite loose and had the same sort've thing as yours. But he's growing well and looking so so much more healthy for it. Unfortunately he's had a rough week with a regurgitation, shed and mites...so once he's sorted and recovered we'll be back to fattening the little guy up :P

Just needs a good feeding I reckon :)