normal growth

I have a 2yr old ball python and he is a little over 3' long (about 38") is that about average for that old? I know that male balls can get 4-6' but how long does it take them to get "full grown"? I have him and my 9 month old female in a 2'x2'x3' terrarium (~ 80 gal) with 2 UV lamps, a heating lamp and a heating pad. The temp stays around 85-95 day and 70-75 at night. Monty, the male, eats 3 mice or 1 small rat (live) every week and is feeding VERY well. Is there anything else I should be doing for him/them? Any advice or info would be nice. These are my first snakes and thus far I love these guys! I am hoping to breed them once the girl gets older.
Thanks

Welcome to the site! :D

First of all males tend to be 2-3' on average. They stay smaller than the females who will more likely reach the 3-5'. So your boy may already be at this adult size.

Second of all, bps can be cannablistic. You won't find too many supporters of housing your snakes together here. One snake = one cage. Your temps seem a bit low too. You are just asking for a respiratory infection if you allow your temps to dip below 75. You should keep your temps as stable as possible. 92-94 hot side and 82-84 cool side.

One: A lot of people here are going to be against keeping two snakes in the same cage. I myself don't see a real problem with it, but others are going to. The stats are against it. The problem could be there. When two snakes are together, one will always be the lesser of the two.

Two: 70-75 at night is too cold, try a infrared bulb at night.

Three: If you want to up his weight/size, try feeding him every four days...it won't hurt and the worst case is he won't eat.

~Jim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jim020cricket

Three: If you want to up his weight/size, try feeding him every four days...it won't hurt and the worst case is he won't eat.

~Jim

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You can't just feed him more and make him bigger. You'll just make him fatter and more prone to fasting. Genetics will determine the maximum his growth will allow. There's no reason you need to feed that frequently. Slow and steady. ;)

Tigerlily-
You must have been typing at the same time as I was. :banana:
~Jim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tigerlily

You can't just feed him more and make him bigger. You'll just make him fatter and more prone to fasting. Genetics will determine the maximum his growth will allow. There's no reason you need to feed that frequently. Slow and steady. ;)

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Genetics will play a part, but so won't food. I feed all my snakes every four days, and the biggest one was said to be already full size when I got her. She grew about four inches in four months. Do what you want, but I still think that a three foot BP has more room to grow and just needs a different schedule. ;)

I am still going to have to disagree, but that's cool. :)

How long have you had your bps?

"How long have you had your bps?"

Who?
~Jim

first off, ty for the welcome tigerlily :) . I am getting them a larger heating pad, 2 thermometers (one for each side of the terrarium) and looking into a nightlight/ceramic heater. What is a good wattage for a CHE? This is what the terrarium is: http://cgi.ebay.com/Reptile-Snake-Li...QQcmdZViewItem
I was thinking about getting the 150W CHE, is that too much or not enough?

Welcome to the site!

I think you'd find a large number of people would tend to disagree with feeding mature BPs on such an aggressive schedule - doesnt give their systems much downtime at all. Your weekly schedule sounds just fine - the temps dropping to 70 however do not. I'll have to chime in with Tigerlily and advise not to let them drop that low - bottoming out at 80 is plenty sufficient and presents far less chance of health problems including resperitory infections. Hope it helps and glad to have you aboard!