Dwarf ball python?

[Bethwei]

I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering if there was any new information regarding dwarf ball pythons? I ask because I got a ball python from someone on Craigslist that is very very small. When I got it, I was told he was a month old, and he weighed 46g. He was clearly very skinny, and when she described how she fed him, I was very concerned.

He was apparently kept with 2 other ball pythons from the same clutch, and she just put the thawed pinkies (which I have learned are WAY too small, even for hatchlings) in the tank and left them there until they were eaten, sometimes for a couple days or more! I was also told he ate half a pinkie the day before we picked him up, which I don't know how that could be possible unless he ate it and regurgitated the rest...

Anyway, I've had him for about 5 months now, and he only weighs 75g... He eats small mice once or twice a week depending on the size of the mouse I can get from the pet store, he's a great eater on live, but won't touch rats. His new enclosure has a warm side that stays between 90 and 92 degrees, and the cool side ranges from 77-85 depending on the time of day. The humidity stays between 50-60% and goes up to about 75% when he's shedding.

As far as I know, his tank and everything is fine, he has plenty of hides, orchid bark bedding, water stays clean and full... I don't understand how he's not putting on weight because he eats great and never regurgitates anything, and he has a big poop every time he sheds.

Any advice? Thanks in advance!

[MD_Pythons]

I don't think there are Dwarf Ball Pythons, it sounds like you got an underfed hatching and he's been gaining the weight back that he lost. But maybe someone more experienced can comment on that. You have a thermostat for your heat sources right? 77-85 is a big fluctuation in temps.

[cchardwick]

Personally for a snake that small I'd feed every 3-4 days until it gained some weight. I'd also double check your scale to see if it's reading right, and make sure the rodent is 10% to 15% of the weight of the snake. The less you feed and the smaller the rodent size the slower the growth rate. It would be helpful to post a photo of the snake, if he is still really skinny I'd feed more than one rodent per meal until he gets his girth back.

Some ball pythons are genetically disposed to get bigger than others but no one really calls them 'dwarf' or 'giant'. Some will get up to 5000 grams while others will never reach that size.

[asplundii]

As noted, your animal is likely just underfed. I have never heard of a dwarf ball. There are "dwarf" burms and retics but they are not true dwarves, just evolutionarily selected smaller stature animals.

The only legitimate case of dwarfism I know of in the hobby is in western hognose

Some ball pythons are genetically disposed to get bigger than others but no one really calls them 'dwarf' or 'giant'.

I have actually heard of Voltas referred to as "Volta Giants" before

[MD_Pythons]

As noted, your animal is likely just underfed. I have never heard of a dwarf ball. There are "dwarf" burms and retics but they are not true dwarves, just evolutionarily selected smaller stature animals.

The only legitimate case of dwarfism I know of in the hobby is in western hognose




I have actually heard of Voltas referred to as "Volta Giants" before

What exactly is the difference between the selected stature animals and true dwarfism?

[Lirenn]

Dwarfism in general is a result of mutations that cause skeletal defects. It's not an exact miniature version of the animal, the organism will grow in certain ways but not others. I would assume the same goes for snakes, but don't quote me on it!

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[asplundii]

What exactly is the difference between the selected stature animals and true dwarfism?

Lirenn pretty much nailed it:

Dwarfism in general is a result of mutations that cause skeletal defects. It's not an exact miniature version of the animal, the organism will grow in certain ways but not others. I would assume the same goes for snakes, but don't quote me on it!

Dwarfism is a single gene mutation that impacts growth, development, and formation of the individual's body. As mentioned, dwarfs as a general rule have physical properties that differentiate them as being not just "miniature versions" of the original in question. Things like "dwarf" burms and retics would be better referred to as "pygmy" or "pygmoid". In stature/stance/build/proportion they match the original but are just scaled down in size.

As a visual example (I find that helps some people) -- Peter Dinklage (4' 6") has dwarfism whereas the people of the Baka tribe are pygmy (average height 4' 8")

[CALM Pythons]

Have a Fecal done.. 5 months at the size most BP are born at would bother me. Check for Parasites.


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