I'd like some advice re Punkin especially from those that have rehabbed snakes. Supposedly this snake is around 18 months old but upon comparison to our other snake, Baby, who is 5 months old Punkin is barely much bigger in girth or length. Also noted the following:

1) Punkin's coloring/skin tone is very dull looking and she feels rougher to the touch than Baby does. Almost like pre-shed but eyes are not blue and the previous owners said it had been quite awhile since Punkin shed. If a snake is not eating enough it doesn't shed as it's not growing and needing to shed, correct? Would this cause this old "tired" looking, rougher textured skin? Is there any special concerns about Punkin's next shed we need to be prepared for? Also Punkin's skin feels looser (if that makes sense) not taunt like Baby's. I'm assuming this is due to being underweight?

2) Punkin's muscle tone is more dull than Baby's. Hard to describe but when I hold Baby she feels stronger, more athletic in tone then Punkin. This is something I will speak to the vet about but what does cause poor muscle tone in pythons? Poor nutrition I assume.

3) What sort of size should a snake be at 18 months? I know males are smaller than females. Do snakes get stunted from long term underfeeding and can they eventually catch back up to normal? Please don't think we want to push Punkin or powerfeed, we just want this snake to have a chance to be fully healthy and appropriate to it's age.

4) Punkin was never fed more than one mouse per week (and did refuse sometimes but not often). Any suggestions here? We will offer multiple prey but are thinking to go at it slowly (as in one big mouse, one small mouse per week) at first so we don't overstress her digestive system too fast and cause either regurg or refusals. Should we stick to this plan or is it better to feed a single big mice more often than every 7 days?

Punkin is not in anyway obviously ill or anything like that just sort of not quite right compared to Baby and we're concerned that we educate ourselves on any special requirements that a rehabbed snake might have.

I'm setting up the vet appointments for both snakes. Anything special I need to ask to have checked on Punkin or just the same sort of health examine and sexing I need done on Baby?

The snakes are quarantined from each other btw and we are being very careful about hygiene just in case.


~~Jo~~