Ball Python not growing? Help!

[C_fang]

Hi,

I've owned my ball python, Fang, for two years now. (Purchased him 9/5/08)
When I first got him he was very young. Since owning him, he's lived in the same 30 gallon tank and has the same routine feeding schedule, which is 1 mouse a week. He's never had a problem shedding either. However, for some reason, he doesn't seem to grow. He's bigger than when i first got him, but probably by only 6 inches. At 2 years old I feel like he should be bigger than what he is. Am I doing something wrong? Or is he a slow grower?




As you can see...

[rabernet]

Two things - First, I'd increase his feeding to every five days and start to gradually increase the size of the prey. Second, if you haven't already - collect a fecal sample and take it to your vet to have it tested for internal parasites.

[C_fang]

I havent considered parasites! Yikes! Looks like Im gonna have to get that checked out, just in case..Thanks!

[Amp625]

yeah, i think rabernet might be right with the parasite thought there pritty serious and some can take effect very slowly, tell us how he is after the vet visit

[lilbit]

what size mouse are you feeding? might be your not feeding enough

[jbean7916]

Only 1 mouse a week? My little guy is only a few months old (got him in Feb) and he's eating small rats right now. My hatchling is eating adult mice already. Sounds like maybe he's underfed.

[marct]

I had the same issue once with one of my females. She would eat like a hog, but wouldn't gain much weight. At times, she would loose weight. She looked very small for her age. By the time I got my head our of my @ss and took her to the vet, it was too late. She had a bug, and died two weeks later. My advice is to take her to the vet asap.

[seeya205]

I would feed him every five days and try large adult mice or switch to rats! The prey should be a wide as the snake or even slightly larger! I would also weigh him and see if he is gaining or at least maintaining his weight! If no weight gain then take him to a vet! Good luck!

[m00kfu]

Very well could be just due to feeding him mice. We picked up a couple of females a couple years back that were around 2 years old and only 600 grams or so, they were fed on one mouse per week. They bulked up pretty quick once we started feeding them rats.

[wax32]

This snake looks like it is under 200g, even with one mouse a week you'd think it should be bigger. I also think a fecal exam is in order.