Weight Question...!!

[Snakie2010]

Can somebody tell me what the perfect weight is for a Ball Python by ages?
For example: when a ball python is 6 months old what the perfect weight is..etc

Thank you

[JLC]

Can somebody tell me what the perfect weight is for a Ball Python by ages?
For example: when a ball python is 6 months old what the perfect weight is..etc

Thank you

There is no answer to this. They all grow at their own pace. Even same-sexed clutch-mates raised together and fed by the same keeper will grow at different rates. Now factor in different sexes...different genetics...different keepers...different feeding styles....... you get the picture.

I've got three snakes all about the same age. One is shorter and nicely stout. One is really long and skinny...she's putting on length before weight (as did another female I raised several years ago)...and one is right between those two. Haven't weighed them recently, but I know they're all different weights....but all equally healthy.

[Snakie2010]

Can somebody tell me what the perfect weight is for a Ball Python by ages?
For example: when a ball python is 6 months old what the perfect weight is..etc

Thank you

I'm asking because I'd like to know if my ball python looks healty and if she haves a good weight (117 gr)? I don't know exactly how old she is but I think around around 3/4 months..

This is a picture that I made the first day I brought her home.. 16 okt 2010


This is a picture from 9 nov 2010


She eats 2 rat pinks every 5 days, is that enough?

[JLC]

Yes, she looks fine. Very pretty.

[Snakie2010]

Yes, she looks fine. Very pretty.

Thank you so much

[mykee]

Two rat pinks are not enough food. A ball that size should be eating one 20-25g rat every 5-7 days or so.
As for "perfect" weights:
6 months: 200-400g
One year: 350-1000g
Two years: 500-2500g

[Snakie2010]

Two rat pinks are not enough food. A ball that size should be eating one 20-25g rat every 5-7 days or so.
As for "perfect" weights:
6 months: 200-400g
One year: 350-1000g
Two years: 500-2500g

I thought she should eat 15% of her body weight. As she is 117 gr so she should eat around 17-18 grams right?? That's what I read in other threads..? Are 2 mice that weigh 25 g together also good to feed her?

[kitedemon]

10 -15% or about as big around as the snake is. It is not an exact science, if there are very pronounced lumps it is likely a touch too much but if not it is fine. I think that at some point you should think about the switch to rats they have better nutritional value (yes there has been a study on that...) but they are also easier (feeding just one the correct size) and cheaper.

[MitsuMike]

Your snake is WAY under weight. At 3 or 4 months old and only 117 grams??? Babies can weigh in at 85 grams sometimes. At almost 3 months my Lesser is around 250-300 grams. Your snake needs to be on atleast rat fuzzies or small adult mice

[JLC]

Your snake is WAY under weight. At 3 or 4 months old and only 117 grams??? Babies can weigh in at 85 grams sometimes. At almost 3 months my Lesser is around 250-300 grams. Your snake needs to be on atleast rat fuzzies or small adult mice

Again, I have to reiterate that there is no set growth on these guys. 300 grams at 3 months is huge. My first ball was just shy of a year old when I got her, and she only weighed 350 grams. One simply can't compare one specific example to another. We've no idea if the baby started out as a runt...or had issues getting started...is a slow grower...or is one inclined to grow in length before putting on much weight.

The best way to tell is by look and by feel...if the snake were as underweight as you fear, then she'd LOOK it. (Obviously we can't feel her for overall muscle tone.)