My first BP! But is she too thin?

I'm so excited to finally have my first ball python, Nessie! When I was researching getting a BP, I contacted an acquaintance of mine who I knew owned one and asked some questions. She told me that she was actually looking to re-home hers and, after meeting this noodle and falling in love with her, I ended up taking her home! She's around 2.5 years old and I just weighed her at 1360.

I'm concerned that she's too thin. Her previous owner told me that she was a poor eater and also that she only offered every 3ish weeks. She didn't keep records though. I know her husbandry wasn't great: only one hide, no thermostat, hardly any substrate, tank was empty other than one hide and water dish. I've had her for 4 weeks now and she's eaten both of the times I've offered, both times a medium rat. Though I don't think she had eaten for 5 or 6 weeks when I offered the first time. Her previous owner said she had been feeding large rats, but that seemed too large according to some charts I've seen. She also said Nessie would only eat live. Both times she ate for me it was fresh killed.

Could you all look at these photos and let me know if you think she's underweight? And if she is, what you would recommend as a feeding schedule? She has an indentation that runs next to much of her spine and I tried to get photos to show it. (I'm also curious about morph - Pastel maybe?)

Thanks so much for your help!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5174b98467.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...29ed37cef2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...18e7c5726d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b3586f89b9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7e3bea0aed.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...65d493bbcc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...2bb29f3401.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...c2182d6210.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ca088b0581.jpg

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She does look a bit thin but not too bad at all. She'll be fine, maybe consider feeding her a bit more. have a great day/night love!:snake:

IMO her condition is great! a couple big meals would not hurt, but i don't think she's thin at all. [emoji4]

I think she looks fine, & I'd be thrilled that she takes medium pre-killed rats. :gj: She's a beautiful snake, I think you got lucky & so did she with you.

She is pretty! I don't think she looks thin either.

She doesn't look thin to me either. She looks really good actually.

She's fine. A pre-kill medium rat every two weeks should be a good feeding schedule going forward, and even then don't be surprised if she starts refusing periodically.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I think she looks fine, & I'd be thrilled that she takes medium pre-killed rats. :gj: She's a beautiful snake, I think you got lucky & so did she with you.

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I am definitely the lucky one! She is super sweet and calm and obviously gorgeous. Thanks so much to everyone for their input. I feel a little silly now for being so worried, but am grateful to have you all as a resource. I just want her to be happy and healthy! And I'm so glad that she's taken pre-killed. I mean, my zombie rat dance is pretty killer. Ha!

She looks Healthy to me. Some of mine take 3-4 week feedings and still go off for a couple/few months a year and are healthy as a horse.


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Yep she looks good! Im sure her "bad eater" title was more from the bad husbandry she had to live with so its good that you have her now and shes obviously comfortable if shes been eating for you. If a snake has only been eating every 3 weeks I wouldnt start ffeeding her weekly, stick with a medium every 10-14 days and she'll probably hit 2000g quick before slowing down again.

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