Hello everyone!


I've been lurking in these forums for a while and I finally bought my first ball python from a local breeder. He has a great temperament.


Here is what I'm worried about: He only weighs 82g but he will be 2.5 months old tomorrow. I acquired him yesterday and the breeder told me that he feeds every friday but that he was also recently fed a f/t "medium mouse" just the day before. But it didn't look like he ate anything because there was no visible "bulge", although I should mention that he pooed on my bed while I was examining him. Today when I looked at him, he just doesn't look as rounded as other hatchlings in pictures. He looks quite thin and straight. Also I noticed that some parts of his skin seems slightly loose. I will also mention that I noticed the baby's mother is smaller than normal breeding size (she is about 1300g) so maybe that would explain his small size. Otherwise, he is quite alert and healthy looking. Since I got him, he's been cooped up in the warm hide.


Currently, he is being kept in a 15 qt Sterilite tub with a UTH. There are two RBI small hides - one on the warm end and one on the cool end. I have the warm hotspot at 90 F and the cool is 78 F and the humidity falls between 50-60%, though it goes up temporarily when I mist. There's also a water bowl and I used Repti-bark substrate.


Do you guys think he is too thin? When is the next time I should feed him? I know you're supposed to leave new ball pythons alone for a few days before feeding. How often should I feed him from now on to put more weight on him? (Twice a week or every 5 days?) What size should I be feeding him? I was thinking of switching to rats just because it would make more sense in the future when he gets larger.


I would love anyone who has any input on my situation! I'm a new owner so I'm just concerned about my little one!

The first picture is from the breeder. The second two are mine.