8 month old BP too small?

[C_McDee]

Last month I picked up my first BP: a female that hatched mid July 2019, making her just over 8 months old now. I weighed her today at 165g. Does this seem small to anyone?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Weight can vary greatly from one individual to another, depends on several factors, weight when hatched (some hatch at 45 grams some hatch a 90 grams) how fast they get started (some will start 2 weeks after shed some may start 6 to 8 weeks after shed), prey size (obviously the one starting at 45 grams will have smaller preys than those starting at 90 grams) feeding frequency, fast, genetics etc.

Over the years I have seen animals in all ranges from animal that are 1000 grams at a year to some that are barely that by age 5, so while it would be under the average, there is more to it to the picture than the weight itself and the most important is the overall look and body proportions which in that case look good to me.

[C_McDee]

Thank you Deborah that's reassuring. Would you say that being a smaller young snake while younger means she is likely to be a small adult snake too or can it vary too much to tell?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

That is really something that cannot be predicted, they do grow throughout their lives some slower than others and some will stay smaller (for example not all female are designed to be in the 3000/4000 grams)

You will have to weight and see what happens with proper feeding in the course of the next year or so and see where she stands.

Also keep in mind that because many are in a rush to breed and grow those animals as fast as they can it often gives people the feeling that their animal is not big enough.

I think she will be fine grow her at her own pace slow and steady.

[C_McDee]

Thanks again Deborah👍🏻