"Triangle" concept about feeding

[shootingstar26]

Hey Forum

I don't really understand the "triangle" concept I keep reading about; it is an indication if your ball python is underfed? It's how prominent the spine is right? My ball python is triangular...but all the pythons I've seen look like they have a "triangle." Can I have some clarification? Thanks!

[mpkeelee]

u really dont want to be able to look and see their spine clearly and see their skin sagging and loose. they should have nice muscle tone all along their body. sorry, dont have pics right now, maybe i can google some

[Lolo76]

This is an underweight ball python (they rescued her): http://www.jasons-jungle.com/Picture...s/bpf36-01.jpg
See the prominent spine and triangular shape?

And here is a healthy BP: http://www.jasons-jungle.com/Picture...s/bpf47-01.jpg

[kenze]

talking abt underweight ball like the link given.. isit possible to cure it? I had once rescued a ball python that look something like this but end up it cant make it...

[Lolo76]

talking abt underweight ball like the link given.. isit possible to cure it? I had once rescued a ball python that look something like this but end up it cant make it...

That particular snake has since plumped up to normal, according to the caption on their website... and others here have nursed rescues to health, so I guess it is possible! I personally have no experience, since all of mine came to me healthy & chubby.

[Dabonus]

When I got my snake 2 months ago he had been fed nothing but pinkie mice, once a week, his whole like (approximately 6 months) and was underweight. I switched to small mice, and fed him every 5 days for one month. He plumped up quite a bit during that month, but still had a pretty prominent spine. For the past month I've been feeding him large mice every 5 day, and he's finally starting to get nice and round.

[BPelizabeth]

our little Isabella was very underweight when we got her....I am not sure how old she was but her weight when we got her was like 43 grams. She was a hatchling but a very small one. I know she was at the store we go to for feeders for 3 weeks. Her spine was showing and she had sagging skin. She is now pushing 200 grams. She had a great feeding response but is still a very timid little baby girl. She may be like that her whole life...we will see.

[rabernet]

This is a girl that I rescued from an owner who fed her once every three months, "if I remember to".



This was her on her way to recovery in my care before she went to 8ballpythons to later become part of his collection:



This is the snake she was housed with before:


After:


These girls were so starved that they constantly tracked my heat scent and struck at the side of their tub, they were so desperate for food. I had to use a lot of self control to not over feed them and overtax their systems.

[shootingstar26]

Ah I see! Thank your everyone for the clarification. The pictures really help, thank you. =]
Here is a picture of my ball python.* I feed it one adult mouse once a week...but since I can't weight it (I am financially dependent and my snake budget is $0 right now; unless I have to buy food) I am unsure if one adult mouse is "enough." Can I have some opinions?

*<cough/> How exactly do I upload a photo?

[dr del]

Hi,

Well the first thing is to get them hosted somewhere online.

You can put them in your gallery here - this tutorial is a bit old but the basic procedure is the same I think.

And here is another one in video form that might also help.

You can also use a site like http://photobucket.com/

They should also have tutorials to help you.

If you still have trouble just ask any member of staff and we will do our best to get you sorted.


dr del