Question about body size

[mmayhew]

Hi all, While I've owned BPs on and off for 15+ years I'm definitely not an experienced keeper. I just purchased my first albino tonight who happens to be around the same age/length as my normal ball python. I was shocked at the difference between their body thickness. It has me curious if this is normal or if one is too thin or one is too thick. I do not know the feeding history of the albino but I feed my normal BP one large mouse every week. It's normal for it to skip a week once a month or so because it will refuse to eat. The main thing that stuck out to me was how the albinos body stays thick and then suddenly becomes very small at the tail where my other BPs body slowly and evenly narrows.

Just curious on your opinions... Is my BP too small, is the albino overfed or is this just two normal, but different body types.

TIA!

[Albert Clark]

Well, if they truly are about the same age and length? And you are sure about that the other factors of genetics both parental and grandparents can play a role in the differences. Additionally, the feeding frequency, prey size and amount will also have to be factored in. Sexual difference male vs. female. With females usually being larger.

[jasca]

Are snakes just as humans concerning the point that some just get thicker than others even if they get the same prey?

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[Rob]

Are snakes just as humans concerning the point that some just get thicker than others even if they get the same prey?

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Yep body image is a huge concern for bps lol

[jasca]

I didn't mean body image though ^^

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[mmayhew]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I meant for my question to be, do either look unhealthy? The normal probably is small for it's age, I bought it in April 2016 so I know for sure it's at least 2.5 years old. I'll try to step him up to small rats but honestly he still sometimes struggles with large mice.

[LittleTreeGuy]

I'd think a 2.5 year old should be beyond small rats... My bp is only about 6 months and eating rat pups/weaned rats. I would get a scale if you don't have one already and weigh the snake, then make sure it's getting 10-15% of it's weight in prey items. I don't think either of them look unhealthy, but they could still be hungry. LOL.

As said above though... I've heard of people having snakes with maybe 400g difference in two snakes that are the same sex and same age... just what I've read... but I can see how it could be possible.