Baby seems thin... Help! New ball python owner

Hello everyone!


I've been lurking in these forums for a while and I finally bought my first ball python from a local breeder. He has a great temperament.


Here is what I'm worried about: He only weighs 82g but he will be 2.5 months old tomorrow. I acquired him yesterday and the breeder told me that he feeds every friday but that he was also recently fed a f/t "medium mouse" just the day before. But it didn't look like he ate anything because there was no visible "bulge", although I should mention that he pooed on my bed while I was examining him. Today when I looked at him, he just doesn't look as rounded as other hatchlings in pictures. He looks quite thin and straight. Also I noticed that some parts of his skin seems slightly loose. I will also mention that I noticed the baby's mother is smaller than normal breeding size (she is about 1300g) so maybe that would explain his small size. Otherwise, he is quite alert and healthy looking. Since I got him, he's been cooped up in the warm hide.


Currently, he is being kept in a 15 qt Sterilite tub with a UTH. There are two RBI small hides - one on the warm end and one on the cool end. I have the warm hotspot at 90 F and the cool is 78 F and the humidity falls between 50-60%, though it goes up temporarily when I mist. There's also a water bowl and I used Repti-bark substrate.


Do you guys think he is too thin? When is the next time I should feed him? I know you're supposed to leave new ball pythons alone for a few days before feeding. How often should I feed him from now on to put more weight on him? (Twice a week or every 5 days?) What size should I be feeding him? I was thinking of switching to rats just because it would make more sense in the future when he gets larger.


I would love anyone who has any input on my situation! I'm a new owner so I'm just concerned about my little one!

The first picture is from the breeder. The second two are mine.
http://i41.tinypic.com/25tasxw.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/2eba3b5.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/30b0feo.jpg

82g at 2.5 months seems okay to me. Maybe a bit on the small side, but nothing major in any way.

People usually feed their hatchlings anything from once every 3 days to once every 5 days. Probably 4 or 5 days would be good. For what it's worth, and this is subject to change or odd circumstances, I try to do 4 days to 200g, 5 days from 200g to 500g, and 7 days after 500g. Doesn't always work out that way, though. As long as you're feeding him regularly, and the correct size you're good to go.

If you have a scale and want to weigh your food, 10% to 15% of bodyweight is the normal guideline. This usually means mice until he's over 100g. If you have no scale, I would just do mice to 100 or 110 and switch to smaller rat pups at that point. You want something about as big around as the snake is wide at his widest point.

I usually feed my snakes the day I get them. I want to see their feeding response. Most people say wait a week. This is up to you. Nothing terrible will happen if you do either.

Basically, I don't think he's too thin, and if he is a little on the small side, a normal feeding regiment will get him back on track in no time at that young age.

X2 he doesn't look like he's starved to me either. And second on the feeding every 5 or 6 days as well

X3 he looks fine to me: I'd stick him on a 5 day schedule with rat fuzzies/small pups and you can offer in a couple days or a week. I've offered some snakes the day of receiving them and most took it fine but if you want to give him some settle in time that's fine too.

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Originally Posted by 200xth

82g at 2.5 months seems okay to me. Maybe a bit on the small side, but nothing major in any way.


People usually feed their hatchlings anything from once every 3 days to once every 5 days. Probably 4 or 5 days would be good. For what it's worth, and this is subject to change or odd circumstances, I try to do 4 days to 200g, 5 days from 200g to 500g, and 7 days after 500g. Doesn't always work out that way, though. As long as you're feeding him regularly, and the correct size you're good to go.


If you have a scale and want to weigh your food, 10% to 15% of bodyweight is the normal guideline. This usually means mice until he's over 100g. If you have no scale, I would just do mice to 100 or 110 and switch to smaller rat pups at that point. You want something about as big around as the snake is wide at his widest point.


I usually feed my snakes the day I get them. I want to see their feeding response. Most people say wait a week. This is up to you. Nothing terrible will happen if you do either.


Basically, I don't think he's too thin, and if he is a little on the small side, a normal feeding regiment will get him back on track in no time at that young age.

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Originally Posted by wycked

X2 he doesn't look like he's starved to me either. And second on the feeding every 5 or 6 days as well

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

X3 he looks fine to me: I'd stick him on a 5 day schedule with rat fuzzies/small pups and you can offer in a couple days or a week. I've offered some snakes the day of receiving them and most took it fine but if you want to give him some settle in time that's fine too.

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Thanks so much guys! I really appreciate the super quick responses and great tips. This makes me feel really relieved. I'll go ahead and start feeding within the next couple days! :]

Below is a picture of my female albino who weighed 60g when I bought her (she has taken two feeds with me so far) with with 600g(ish) male. She eats well and is healthy. Just as a comparison for you. Your BP looks very healthy and as long as they eat and don't lose considerable weight you have nothing to worry about!

On a guess (as I really do not know the age) I think my albino is around 2 and a half months and is a lot lighter.

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/...05046533_n.jpg

82 grams is fine for a hatch i got a male about a month and half ago he was 86 i think something in the 80's hes been feeding on a hopper every friday and since i got him and hes gotta be close to 200 i havent threw him on the scale since i got him but he looks around 200 they grow quick once feed regular .. good luck with him/her .. very nice looking bp

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Originally Posted by Naom9Anne

Below is a picture of my female albino who weighed 60g when I bought her (she has taken two feeds with me so far) with with 600g(ish) male. She eats well and is healthy. Just as a comparison for you. Your BP looks very healthy and as long as they eat and don't lose considerable weight you have nothing to worry about!


On a guess (as I really do not know the age) I think my albino is around 2 and a half months and is a lot lighter.

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Thanks for the picture comparison! I'm just being a little paranoid because I've never had a snake before. It's such a change not having to feed your animal every single day but it's definitely something I could get used to haha. Is there a way to tell when a BP is hungry? Btw very beautiful BPs!

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Originally Posted by steve_r34

82 grams is fine for a hatch i got a male about a month and half ago he was 86 i think something in the 80's hes been feeding on a hopper every friday and since i got him and hes gotta be close to 200 i havent threw him on the scale since i got him but he looks around 200 they grow quick once feed regular .. good luck with him/her .. very nice looking bp

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Wow they sure pack on the weight quickly. Is that a weight gain that I should be expecting in the month or two? :) And it's a boy! Thank you I'm so in love with him… just too adorable. I'm using every muscle of my body to stop myself from overhandling him lol. :(

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Originally Posted by kittymeow

Is there a way to tell when a BP is hungry?

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They usually become more active during their normal times (usually at night) and begin wandering around their tanks looking for anything to eat. My snake sometimes will roam around the feeding end of his tank hoping I notice so I can feed him. Most people will just feed their snake on a regular schedule. Depending on the snake's size, it can be as often as every 4 days to every 7-10 days. Since yours is a baby, I recommend feeding it more often.

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Originally Posted by kittymeow

Wow they sure pack on the weight quickly. Is that a weight gain that I should be expecting in the month or two?

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They grow very quickly at that size when they're fed regularly.

Just as an example, here's a few of mine and their recorded weights after two or three months. Fed every 5 days most of the time (but not always).

2013-08-22 : 83
2013-10-21 : 230


2013-09-15 : 142
2013-11-16 : 287


2013-08-16 : 97
2013-11-17 : 295

You'll probably get about the same growth.

Don't stress too much :) you're doing fine. Personally I would stick with rats and not do the mice, just incase he decides he only wants mice... in which case, they do not have as much fat in them and whatnot. If you can find f/t (or live, depending how you feed) rat fuzzies I'd start with those. That is what I feed mine, although he could go up to pups anytime - I'm just emptying out my stock. Mine was 116g when I got him, 3 months old, eating rat fuzzies.

He's gorgeous, by the way (yours)!! Best of luck.

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Originally Posted by kittymeow

Thanks for the picture comparison! I'm just being a little paranoid because I've never had a snake before. It's such a change not having to feed your animal every single day but it's definitely something I could get used to haha. Is there a way to tell when a BP is hungry? Btw very beautiful BPs!

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Trust me, I only got my first BP on the 5th October and I have learnt so much about them in a short space of time. We are here when you have questions and trust me, I use this forum any time I need help and advice :) My bumblebee was only 77g when I got him and I think he is the same age as my albino so your BP's weight is nothing to worry about! :)

I concur with trying to get onto rats if you can, they have a higher fat percentage and it can be easier to feed one item rather than multiple when they age :) you have time to switch: example; My bumblebee had been eating rat pinks, I fed him a small mouse on his first feed due to a defrost disaster and then on his second feed with me he was back onto rats with no problem whatsoever.

You will get used to your new BP very soon and anything you don't understand, ask. We all start out as newbies (I'm still very much a newbie!) and we all have to learn.

Your BP looks healthy and is a gorgeous BP! :)

I feed mine at that weight every 5 days, sometimes roaming around can be a sign of hunger but mine don't tend to roam on a 5 day schedule apart from at night in between feeds which is normal.

I tried feeding my baby a rat but he didn't take it (no surprise). I tried a mouse hopper and he took it! Although he missed on his first strike lol :P It took a lot of mouse zombie dancing though and I had to turn off all the lights :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Naom9Anne

Trust me, I only got my first BP on the 5th October and I have learnt so much about them in a short space of time. We are here when you have questions and trust me, I use this forum any time I need help and advice My bumblebee was only 77g when I got him and I think he is the same age as my albino so your BP's weight is nothing to worry about!


I concur with trying to get onto rats if you can, they have a higher fat percentage and it can be easier to feed one item rather than multiple when they age you have time to switch: example; My bumblebee had been eating rat pinks, I fed him a small mouse on his first feed due to a defrost disaster and then on his second feed with me he was back onto rats with no problem whatsoever.


You will get used to your new BP very soon and anything you don't understand, ask. We all start out as newbies (I'm still very much a newbie!) and we all have to learn.


Your BP looks healthy and is a gorgeous BP!


I feed mine at that weight every 5 days, sometimes roaming around can be a sign of hunger but mine don't tend to roam on a 5 day schedule apart from at night in between feeds which is normal.

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I figure it's better to try to switch to rats because I am not wanting to feed 5+ mice when he gets big >.< I live in Canada so the cost of mice at my local pet store is expensive! But I figured I just wanna get the weight on him at the moment so I'm just happy he ate :) Thank you so much for the help! I'm going to start feeding him on a 5 day schedule from now on. He hasn't really moved from his hide except once when I saw him get a drink of water haha.

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Originally Posted by NH93

Don't stress too much you're doing fine. Personally I would stick with rats and not do the mice, just incase he decides he only wants mice... in which case, they do not have as much fat in them and whatnot. If you can find f/t (or live, depending how you feed) rat fuzzies I'd start with those. That is what I feed mine, although he could go up to pups anytime - I'm just emptying out my stock. Mine was 116g when I got him, 3 months old, eating rat fuzzies.


He's gorgeous, by the way (yours)!! Best of luck.

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Unfortunately he does only want mice! I contacted the breeder who told me that he only fed on mice. Maybe I will try again with rats in a couple months :) Thank you!

Dude,ya snake looks good and healthy

My ghost was growing nicely while eating mice,but as soon as I started him on rats he just started ballooning up....rats are the way to go. Just got my black pastel to switch to rats,had his first one last week. Feeding him tommorow,which is 2 days off my schedule,but he was shedding last 5 days and refused a meal 3 days ago cause he was shedding...

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Originally Posted by 200xth

They grow very quickly at that size when they're fed regularly.

Just as an example, here's a few of mine and their recorded weights after two or three months. Fed every 5 days most of the time (but not always).

2013-08-22 : 83
2013-10-21 : 230


2013-09-15 : 142
2013-11-16 : 287


2013-08-16 : 97
2013-11-17 : 295

You'll probably get about the same growth.

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This is a great idea, I've never thought about posting stats I collect as an example.
Here is a female lesser. As you can see the dates fed vary mainly due to my part needing to feed a day or two earlier or a day or two later. Some of the extended feeding dates are because of refused food. In 4 months she gained just about 300g which was about 75g per month. Sorry it's a bit messy, I copy and pasted but it doesn't transfer well

Fed Weight
88g 4-28-13
4-28-13
5-6-13
5-10-13
5-13-13
128g 5-18-13
5-19-13
5-28-13
182g 5-31-13
6-9-13
6-21-13
208g 6-24-13
7-5-13
8-2-13
8-8-13
284g 8-12-13
8-13-13
8-19-13
8-24-13
362g 8-27-13

If he will only eat mice now then by all means feed him mice :) I have a hatchling on mice who I am leaving for a couple of feeds until I try to switch him over :) I totally understand putting weight on them first and then switching :)

My boy who is on mice is gaining weight and over the space of two weeks he has went from 87g to 107g so I'm much happier with his weight gain than any immediate changes to rats.

I'd change the battery in your scale. He looks much bigger than 82 grams. Some hatchlings weigh that much right out of the egg. Your guy looks just fine in those pics. :confusd:

He looks fine to me too. Grats on the new snake. :)

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Originally Posted by Naom9Anne

If he will only eat mice now then by all means feed him mice I have a hatchling on mice who I am leaving for a couple of feeds until I try to switch him over I totally understand putting weight on them first and then switching


My boy who is on mice is gaining weight and over the space of two weeks he has went from 87g to 107g so I'm much happier with his weight gain than any immediate changes to rats.

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That's so great to hear. I hope mine will go through the same change in the next few weeks. The breeder told me that he was the only one out of his hatchlings who he couldn't get to switch over to rats yet. :oops:

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Originally Posted by sho220

I'd change the battery in your scale. He looks much bigger than 82 grams. Some hatchlings weigh that much right out of the egg. Your guy looks just fine in those pics.

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The first picture is the scale the breeder weighed him in. I weighed him on my own scale as-well and the numbers matched. :/ He's really tiny. Also keep in the mind that I have really small hands so he just looks bigger! lol!

OP, where in Canada are you (if you don't mind me asking)? I'm in Southern Ontario and know a few mice and rat breeders - much better and cheaper than the chain pet stores like Petsmart!

If you aren't down this end, I'd advise you to do some deep searching in your area! Sometimes breeders do mice/rat breeding on the side, apart from their own stock. You can always post an ad on Kijiji as well :)

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Originally Posted by NH93

OP, where in Canada are you (if you don't mind me asking)? I'm in Southern Ontario and know a few mice and rat breeders - much better and cheaper than the chain pet stores like Petsmart!

If you aren't down this end, I'd advise you to do some deep searching in your area! Sometimes breeders do mice/rat breeding on the side, apart from their own stock. You can always post an ad on Kijiji as well :)

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I'm located in Toronto! So there are quite a few pet shops/reptile specialty shops that sell frozen rodents luckily. The unfortunate thing is that they are still quite far away... my local pet store is only 30 minutes away but I bought a mouse hopper for $2! (Sounds a little expensive to me...:() I'm planning to go to the reptile expo coming up next week in Toronto and stock up on some feeders!

In the end, it still sounds more convenient and inexpensive to feed 1 medium rat vs 3-4+ adult mice in a sitting when they are full grown but switching to rats is more a long term plan.

Kitchener is pretty close to Toronto, isn't it? :)