When do people weigh there ball python

[MennoA]

As stated in the title.
When I browse the forum I can't get a clear anwser on it.
I see a nice picture about feeding guidelines, but I'm confused on when to weigh the snake. Do you weigh it just before feeding or at some other time between feedings?
And do you adjust the weight of the prey accordingly to the weight of the snake?

Best regards

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[Mr. Misha]

I weigh after shed since by then they have their bowl movement as well. That gives me their "true" or "empty" weight.

[Craiga 01453]

I weigh juveniles and sub-adults more often than adults, with no real set schedule. But I always typically only weigh after a defecation to get a more accurate "empty" weight.

The feeding chart you're referring to is a guideline, so as long as you know the approx weight of the snake you'll be fine.

[alittleFREE]

I also only weigh after defecation. Just to give you an idea... I once weighed randomly and at the time my BP was 360 grams... then she pooped and I weighed again and she was 340 lol. So the waste can have some pretty significant affect on the numbers.


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[MennoA]

I weigh juveniles and sub-adults more often than adults, with no real set schedule. But I always typically only weigh after a defecation to get a more accurate "empty" weight.

The feeding chart you're referring to is a guideline, so as long as you know the approx weight of the snake you'll be fine.

Ok, thanks.
I know the chart is a reference, but it's a nice to have.
But thanks for your info

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[Craiga 01453]

Ok, thanks.
I know the chart is a reference, but it's a nice to have.
But thanks for your info

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Absolutely! That chart is definitely a helpful reference. Sounds like you're on the right track.

[larryd23]

I don't think that it matters when you weigh your snake, as long as you are consistent. Consistency allows you to compare one weight to another.

When our BPs were small, we weighed the day before each meal (we were quite obsessive). Now that they are older, we do as others have suggested and weigh after each shed (which usually is accompanied by a nice pee and poop).

The only exception is when they have fasted. Then we weighed every two weeks to make sure that they weren't losing too much weight.

[MennoA]

I don't think that it matters when you weigh your snake, as long as you are consistent. Consistency allows you to compare one weight to another.

When our BPs were small, we weighed the day before each meal (we were quite obsessive). Now that they are older, we do as others have suggested and weigh after each shed (which usually is accompanied by a nice pee and poop).

The only exception is when they have fasted. Then we weighed every two weeks to make sure that they weren't losing too much weight.

Ok. Thanks for your info.
It's not like I'm dragging him to the scale every day lol.

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[B.P.'s 4me]

I try to weigh my snakes once a month, preferably several days after a feeding, but not necessarily after a bowel movement. It would be a more accurate weight if I waited until after a bowel movement, but I'm tracking general weight gain so even if I'm off a bit on a weight, over the course of a few months I'm getting a good idea of growth . I also record feeder weights before I give them to my snakes and total monthly food consumption per snake. Probably a bit excessive LOL, but out of curiosity I want to calculate approximate cost of feeding a ball python for a year. I bought all but two of my b.p.'s as hatchlings so just thought it would be interesting to know...... although I realize this will be different for every owner depending on feeding frequency, and source of feeders. I buy mine in bulk, which would be less expensive than someone buying feeders one or two at a time from their local pet store. :-) Also, although most of mine are on f/t, three of them won't switch from live, which are more costly than frozen.

[gusanr14]

Right after poop is the best! lol
If you weight them before pooping, you will get false weight and that was what I did when I first had my snake haha