Advice

I have owned 6 or 7 ball python's in my time with one reaching 4'6" as my largest. Not all of mysnakes were fully grown but I was happy with that size. I have heard of many reaching 5 feet and very rarely some reaching 6ft?
I currently have 2 (normal) yearly females Is there anything I could do to promote the largest possible growth while their young? Anything? i'm currently feeding them small rats every 4-5days and I have them in a 55gallon.
Any suggestions?
:snake:
~Steve

for starters are they housed together?

Yeah they are actually.
-Steve

I wouldn't worry too much about trying to promote thier growth while young - as they mature they will get as big as they need to on an appropriately sized rat/mouse a week.


I would really get them into seperate enclosures though - reducing that stress of having to cohabitate will probably do more than anything else in getting them to eat regularly - and avoid a host of other potential headaches.

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Originally Posted by djslurp1200

Yeah they are actually.
-Steve

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Here we go! Strap in kids!

:carrot:

Well as far as the doing some thing to make sure the reach the max size thing I don't know. Sorry!

I will be friendly and warn you that houseing together is a huge hot button here as is houseing in that big of a tank. I am no trying to tell you your business but you can expect a lot of options on the issue.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

see even before I could finish

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Here we go! Strap in kids!

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oh its cool. As far as feeding goes they are both eating fine while being together.

Whats the largest ball python You have seen? and I plan on breeding my 2 females 2 a pastel male. Would you say that it is a bad idea to keep the 2 females together until I start to breed? maybe toss the male with them @ breeding time with the 2 females? Just trying to learn what I can...

Feed them spinach! ... They'll get HUGE! :D :sweeet: ;) :carrot:

-adam

Ok that is ultimality your decision. Just understand that there are a few people that will strongly disagree and might press the subject. Good luck and Welcome to the sight.

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Feed them spinach! ... They'll get HUGE! :D :sweeet: ;) :carrot:

-adam

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yea like Popeye

thanks, ya I am new to breeding. And just want the most helpful advice. I'll take any advice or suggestions as constructive. I figure the majority of the people on the site already have a bit of experience. thats why I joined the site. To gain knowledge. I appreciate anything anybody has to say good or bad. So thank you for responding.
:)

as far as morphs are concerned The pastel's seem to be the more cheaper of them all...what would be the next one up as far as price is concerned? I really like the spiders...

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Originally Posted by djslurp1200

Whats the largest ball python You have seen? and I plan on breeding my 2 females 2 a pastel male. Would you say that it is a bad idea to keep the 2 females together until I start to breed? maybe toss the male with them @ breeding time with the 2 females? Just trying to learn what I can...

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My personal option is that its not such a good idea to house them together at all. They compete for the best hides, warm spots and what not. you can house a BP in a 20 gal long tank till they are like 2 or three. I am right now. Two smaller tanks will be easier to heat and keep the humidity up and keep clean. Also you will know who has pooed and who hasent. There is a whole host of reason to house seperate.

Just my 2 cents.

hope this helps

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Originally Posted by djslurp1200

as far as morphs are concerned The pastel's seem to be the more cheaper of them all...what would be the next one up as far as price is concerned? I really like the spiders...

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Hypo's

no it definetly does. thanks.

What would you classify as a hypo?

pardon my lack of knowledge of the morphs...

they also call them ghost the term is hypomelanistic (sp) They are light and look like they are in shed all the time.

enter shamless 8ball plug:

Check this out; http://www.8ballpythons.com/hypo.htm#avail

To me...you question would be similar to a parent asking "I want my kid to be a professional basketball player, how should I feed it?". The maximum growth potential of any creature is dependant on genetics.....not how much or how often food is fed.

Here is my advice ;)

House each of your snake individually and feed each of them a rodent equal to their girth once every 7 days.

Also there is a great search feature on the site, so feel free to give it a shot :D .....here is a link: http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/search.php?

thank you daniel...Ok, ya i've seen the ghosts those are really cool looking as well.

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Originally Posted by djslurp1200

thank you daniel...Ok, ya i've seen the ghosts those are really cool looking as well.

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Yea I would say them and Pastels are on about the same level price wise

alright well, I'll go ahead and put them in seperate tanks

Save the big one so when you go to breed them you will need a bigger tank

ya my friend has a 30long and a 20long I'll probably just buy off of him to keep them in...I'll keep the 55gal for sure though...would you say I could get better prices at a reptile show. I'm going to the one here in tampa this weekend...I'm siked. It'll be my first show ever.

better prices on the animals or the tanks

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Originally Posted by djslurp1200

ya my friend has a 30long and a 20long I'll probably just buy off of him to keep them in...I'll keep the 55gal for sure though...would you say I could get better prices at a reptile show. I'm going to the one here in tampa this weekend...I'm siked. It'll be my first show ever.

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Why not save a little money and go with tubs instead of tanks?

cool, Ya I get paid this friday so I figure since I'm going sunday with it being the last day of the show I could probably get good prices. Especially on whats left towards the end half of the day...I swear this S**t is so addictive man. I always enjoyed the look of a normal ball python but now as Im really building a hobby into it I want to be strictly into morph's. Maybe own 1 normal female and the rest all morph's.

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Originally Posted by djslurp1200

It'll be my first show ever.

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Enjoy yourself! You'll have a blast and it will probably light the fire and leave you wanting more and more and more lol!

Sounds like you are amenable to advice and focused on providing the best care for your critters so you should do quite well. Pull up a chair and stick around - theres tons of info here and we're always willing to help.

Tubs are like the sweater drawer looking things right?

ya I probably would save money with the tub's but I really enjoy the look of a beautifully decorated tank that I can view from all angles. I dunno. Call me crazy
I just love the look of a really hot tank.

ya, I know it will. I just can't wait t'ill i have like 5 or 6 differen't morphs along with a normal just to provide an example of contrast from the differen't morph's.

ya I have been reading everything I can online from caresheets to other forums.

I really like this one especially because its main focus is the ball python so ya. My snakes will definitely be taken care of. But ya I'm at work right now at my desk talkin to customers and reading up while i can. I just can't help it. this is just too addicting and the amount of knowledge and people willing to share it is really great. I thank anybody that takes the time to respond to one of my threads. I know everybody starts from somewhere so its appreciated.

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Originally Posted by djslurp1200

Tubs are like the sweater drawer looking things right?

ya I probably would save money with the tub's but I really enjoy the look of a beautifully decorated tank that I can view from all angles. I dunno. Call me crazy
I just love the look of a really hot tank.

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Tanks are fine most of us with more than one snake find the tub aka rack system are way easier to deal with. but hey i have mine in tanks now till my rack is built.

Good luck at the expo. those things will turn a herp lover into a crack feind for morphs and herps.. just wait. Its like the casino leave the credit card at the house or in the car. LOL

HAHAHA! ya I am paying my rent so...after I set aside gas and food money for the next two weeks after that I'll be taking that. I make pretty good money for a 21 year old so..I should have something healthy to take if not. I'll just get a small amscot payday advance. Something that I can easily take care of and still get something. Going to an expo without purchasable money is like going to a mercedes dealership with no money...lol
:D