Underweight ball python?

[Drako21]

I recently got my first snake this past mid-June at a reptile expo near me. The breeder gave me index cards with his birth date and feeding record. He was born August 2013 so he is suppose to be about 11 months old. He's super sweet and very active when I handle him. Anyway, when I got him he weighed 140 grams. According to the records, he was fed every 7 days and ate pinky rats up until April 2014 and then switched to fuzzy rats in May 2014. I fed him 5 fuzzy rats in June and then recently this July I switched to what my local pet shop where I get the frozen rodents from calls a "mice," which is between a fuzzy rat and a small rat in size and he's had 2 of those so far.

Also, I feed him every 5 days and thankfully he has yet to refuse a meal and is an excellent eater. Currently I have him up to about 205 grams. Also to note, he has yet to poop. Is his body absorbing all it can from the rats or could he be waiting to shed to poop? 7 rodents in his little system seems like a lot to hold in, lol. From what I read while searching, it seems like an almost year old ball python should be around at least 300-400 grams correct? I've attached a couple pictures for reference. They were taken within the past couple weeks. He might be very slightly more "plump" at this point.

Thanks for any input..

[CptJack]

He looks thin in that first picture (better in the second) but he doesn't look emaciated. Not having pooped in less than a month isn't a big deal, either.

You can go to feeding him every 5 days or so, and weigh what you're feeding him to see how much IT weighs to get a rough idea of size meal he should be getting (should be 10-15% of his weight, roughly, so between 20 and 30 grams) but honestly? He's eating, he's growing. Feed him well, maybe up the feeding size or frequency a touch, and if he continues to seem thin/small or you're worried get a fecal done to check for parasites.

(As an aside, my guy was 300 grams in early March and has doubled his weight since then - and he IS a fussy eater that didn't eat for a month and I've only now gotten onto rats. A lot of people 'maintenance feed' young snakes for sale. Not a big deal, really, and growth takes off when they're being fed more appropriate sized meals).

[Drako21]

see how much IT weighs to get a rough idea of size meal he should be getting (should be 10-15% of his weight, roughly, so between 20 and 30 grams)

His current meal is 30 grams.

[CptJack]

Then I wouldn't sweat it. He's gained what, 65 grams in less than a month? That's *REALLY GOOD* weight gain.

[Drako21]

A lot of people 'maintenance feed' young snakes for sale. Not a big deal, really, and growth takes off when they're being fed more appropriate sized meals.

I kind of questioned that myself. I figured they might keep them small for whatever reason. It was just that I've seen many pictures/videos of other ball pythons around his age and they seem huge compared to him, lol. Now I'll just hope he continues eating(which seems very likely with his appetite) and let him grow. Thanks

[bcardi151]

I wou feedld boost him up to mice once he can take 2 mice move up to small rats .I feed mine hopper for fist four months then move to mice. i have 12 ball raised them fom babys . yours looks good in the second pic i have a 580 gram ball that eats med rats.