Beefing Up the Baby

[Vanthios]

I brought dear Lovelace home about a week and a half ago and she's just been great. She's had an escape, but she's back and safe -- nothing but experience gained. From what I was told, she's only about 2 months of age. I measured her last Thursday and she clocked in at 97g. I'd really like to breed her in the near future, probably in the next season. Is there a diet I can put her on that will bulk her up a little quicker? She's currently eating a single small mouse weekly, so she'll be fed tonight. Should I bump this up to two small mice, or is the single plenty?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

She will no breed next season, this is not a race those are live animals, just feed her right and she will grow, trying to feed her for her to get bigger quicker because YOU are in a rush is not the way to go about this.

They grow and breed on THEIR schedule not YOURS

If you are in a rush to breed next season I would suggest you to buy a 1000 + grams animal or a proven breeder.

[Penultimate]

I don't think so. While I haven't bred any of mine yet, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is fatty liver disease. By feeding your snake too much, they can die (http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...y-failed-liver). Also, it's not all about weight. They're going to mature at their own pace, period. These are live animals, and live animals need time to hit sexual maturity. She might not even be ready at two years old, some snakes need three years. I would second Deborah on purchasing a bigger animal if you're that anxious to breed (but please practice a good quarantine).

Oh, and I've noticed that ball pythons sometimes go on hunger strikes if you overfeed them. Kind of the opposite of what you want to achieve.

[distaff]

She is a beautiful snake.
Don't mess her up.

If you don't know that she won't breed/shouldn't be bred at one year, you need to learn a lot more about breeding before you get started.