Growing too fast?

Hello, new BP owner here. Theo hatched in Sep 2019 so he's a bit over 10 months old now. I was getting some weaned rats for him at a local reptile zoo/supply store and when I mentioned that Theo's almost 3 ft long and about 500 grams, the employees there were quite surprised to hear a 10 month old male with that size. Is he considered unusually big for a 10 month old male? Does he look overfed in the pictures? I hope I didn't overfeed him but he is a really good eater and has not refused a meal since it got him. I think he did gain weight a bit fast at one point and felt a bit squishy when I fed him 1 weaned rat every 10 days but I now cut back to one weaned rat every 2 weeks (as the reptile store recommended). Once a BP hits 500 grams, you no longer feed it 10 to 15% every week, correct? Also, should I make sure he's on the well fed side now to prepare for a chance of fasting this fall/winter? Are overweight BPs more likely to fast?



https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...183403_low.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...183427_low.jpg

Totally normal size for 10 months old, and the body condition looks within the normal range! I currently have a 12 month old female at 700g.

Your boy is also not considered overweight at all

What a stunning looking snake!!!

Seems like the question of the day.

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A good growth a good average growth is about 500 grams per year, for an animal that is fed approximately once a week.

Now some animals might be double that in a year and some might be less there are a lot of factor in play, weight out of the egg, how soon they eat on their own, genetics, food refusal, fast etc.

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As for feeding they are often overfed not to the point of obesity but still are which usually translate later on in fast so if you want an animal that is healthy and eats with consistency here it is

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Thanks for the replies. It's a relief to confirm that he's at a reasonable size :)

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Originally Posted by Danger noodles

What a stunning looking snake!!!

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Thanks! I got him at the reptile expo. I wasn't even planning to get a snake that day but when I saw him, I just couldn't resist :D