Vote for BP.Net for the 2013 Forum of the Year! Click here for more info.

» Site Navigation

» Home
 > FAQ

» Online Users: 779

1 members and 778 guests
Most users ever online was 47,180, 07-16-2025 at 05:30 PM.

» Today's Birthdays

None

» Stats

Members: 75,904
Threads: 249,099
Posts: 2,572,074
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
Welcome to our newest member, GeneticArtist
Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    BPnet Veteran
    Join Date
    03-21-2010
    Location
    Roosevelt, Utah
    Posts
    1,123
    Thanks
    152
    Thanked 267 Times in 193 Posts
    Images: 303

    First BP, general questions...feeding/growth

    My friend got a baby female normal BP 6 years ago. She hadn't been feeding well--apparently wouldn't take rats, and nothing dead. The seller was a breeder, and said he didn't have much use for it. Anyway...

    After a couple years, my friend's wife couldn't take it anymore. She's terrified of snakes, and didn't want it at her house anymore.

    So, his friend took it in. The feeding schedule has been 1 medium rat every 2-6 months. Not because that's all she'll eat, but that's all he'd feed her.

    Because of distance, my friend talked me into having it at my house (now his snake is a couple blocks away, instead of a few hours). I'm hooked.

    This 6 yr. old female normal is only 28" long. I don't have a scale yet, but she looks to be the same size as most pictures of 1 year olds.

    Couple of questions I have:
    1. Should I expect to be able to get her to feed much more often, say every 7-14 days?
    2. After only growing so little, would I expect her to grow much more if I can get her to eat more?
    3. Would you expect that she'll be able to breed, or would there possibly be some problems with the age/size that have been caused?

    Haven't tried to get some good pics of her, but she does have a few interesting traits. A couple of blush/sun spots; a couple of doughnuts; pattern on the belly...anyway, your help is greatly appreciated.

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Telling it like it is! Stewart_Reptiles's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-28-2006
    Posts
    24,845
    Thanks
    6,116
    Thanked 20,811 Times in 9,584 Posts
    Blog Entries
    1
    Images: 6

    Re: First BP, general questions...feeding/growth

    This 6 yr. old female normal is only 28" long. I don't have a scale yet, but she looks to be the same size as most pictures of 1 year olds.

    Couple of questions I have:
    1. Should I expect to be able to get her to feed much more often, say every 7-14 days?
    I would start feeding "her" a small rat (4 weeks old) every 7 days

    2. After only growing so little, would I expect her to grow much more if I can get her to eat more?
    If "she" is 28 inches long and really 6 years old that's pretty much it, while BP grow throughout their entire life the main growth is done between the first 3 years.

    3. Would you expect that she'll be able to breed, or would there possibly be some problems with the age/size that have been caused?
    I seriously would not see a point in breeding such a small animal does not mean it would be impossible however not something I personally would do.


    Now as you noticed I use "her" however the first thing that would be in order would be for you to re-sex the animal or have a confirmation by someone else, given the size and the age even if not fed appropriately 28 inches would be VERY small for a 6 year old female, however for a male it would make more sense.
    Deborah Stewart


  3. The Following User Says Thank You to Stewart_Reptiles For This Useful Post:

    j_h_smith (03-27-2010)

  4. #3
    BPnet Veteran
    Join Date
    03-21-2010
    Location
    Roosevelt, Utah
    Posts
    1,123
    Thanks
    152
    Thanked 267 Times in 193 Posts
    Images: 303

    Re: First BP, general questions...feeding/growth

    He originally bought the snake from a breeder that sexed it--though I do see your point.
    Lots of BPs, and still not enough!

    https://www.facebook.com/selectmorphs

    This is addictive...what did I get myself into?...

  5. #4
    BPnet Veteran j_h_smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-02-2009
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    3,007
    Thanks
    234
    Thanked 567 Times in 449 Posts
    Images: 3

    Re: First BP, general questions...feeding/growth

    Quote Originally Posted by Deborah View Post
    Now as you noticed I use "her" however the first thing that would be in order would be for you to re-sex the animal or have a confirmation by someone else, given the size and the age even if not fed appropriately 28 inches would be VERY small for a 6 year old female, however for a male it would make more sense.
    Very good point!
    Jim Smith

  6. #5
    BPnet Veteran
    Join Date
    03-21-2010
    Location
    Roosevelt, Utah
    Posts
    1,123
    Thanks
    152
    Thanked 267 Times in 193 Posts
    Images: 303

    Re: First BP, general questions...feeding/growth

    So, I live in a very rural area. Where might I have it re-sexed? Would a normal vet usually be able to do this?
    Lots of BPs, and still not enough!

    https://www.facebook.com/selectmorphs

    This is addictive...what did I get myself into?...

  7. #6
    BPnet Veteran j_h_smith's Avatar
    Join Date
    12-02-2009
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    3,007
    Thanks
    234
    Thanked 567 Times in 449 Posts
    Images: 3

    Re: First BP, general questions...feeding/growth

    Quote Originally Posted by ClarkT View Post
    So, I live in a very rural area. Where might I have it re-sexed? Would a normal vet usually be able to do this?
    Probably not. They may be able to probe the snake to verify sex, but that could be a stretch too. Do you have any other snake owners in your area? Maybe they can help you find someone.

    Good Luck!
    Jim Smith

  8. #7
    BPnet Veteran
    Join Date
    03-21-2010
    Location
    Roosevelt, Utah
    Posts
    1,123
    Thanks
    152
    Thanked 267 Times in 193 Posts
    Images: 303

    Re: First BP, general questions...feeding/growth

    Thanks.
    I was able to locate the breeder on this. He is certain it is a female.

    A question on the feeding...is it better to feed a medium rat every week, or feed 2 small rats?
    Lots of BPs, and still not enough!

    https://www.facebook.com/selectmorphs

    This is addictive...what did I get myself into?...

  9. #8
    BPnet Veteran seeya205's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-15-2009
    Location
    Ontario Canada
    Posts
    2,219
    Thanks
    362
    Thanked 344 Times in 322 Posts

    Re: First BP, general questions...feeding/growth

    I would feed one small rat every 7 days until she gets a good size then which to mediums! Two small rats would be too much for her!

  10. #9
    BPnet Veteran Brunoheart's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-24-2009
    Location
    Dover, Delaware, United States
    Posts
    235
    Thanks
    33
    Thanked 35 Times in 32 Posts
    Images: 1

    Re: First BP, general questions...feeding/growth

    Quote Originally Posted by ClarkT View Post
    Thanks.
    I was able to locate the breeder on this. He is certain it is a female.

    I have heard of experienced, well known breeders making mistakes with sexing hatchlings whether they be popped or probed, so having had the breeder sex "her" as a hatchling 6 years ago does not mean she is definately female. I would strongly suggest you find someone to double check especially if your ultimate goal is to breed "her". If you are simply keeping "her" as a pet, it doesn't really matter. Good luck with "her".
    *~*Mica*~*
    0.2 Kids
    1.1 Great Danes
    1.0 '09 Pastel BP
    0.1 '09 Lemon Pastel
    0.1 '10 Lesser

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1