My under weight new ball python.

[Jules623]

A month ago, I rescued a neglected under weight cinnamon ball. He lived in 20 gal fish tank, with no heat, no hides, and just a dirty water bowl. They say,( it's, they aren't sure of the sex, is 9 months to a year old). He weighed 83g and now is up to 97g. I have fed him a fuzzy mouse every 4 days, I'm asking if I should go to hoppers now, or small mice? He's about 20 inches long, but very thin. He's very active at night, and likes to be handled. All in all, he seems healthy. This is my first snake. I planned on buying from a breeder, but I just couldn't leave this little guy there is such deplorable conditions. Any and all advice would be much appreciated.

[Mangiapane85]

Sounds like you're helping him grow. Just make sure to abide by the caresheets that are spread out everywhere over the forum... however, I'm doubting the previous owner had his age right. 83 g seems impossible for a 9 month old, much less a yearling.


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[Nellasaur]

Sounds like you're helping him grow. Just make sure to abide by the caresheets that are spread out everywhere over the forum... however, I'm doubting the previous owner had his age right. 83 g seems impossible for a 9 month old, much less a yearling.

My guy was 78g when I got him in April and he was probably 6 months old at that point. They can remain pretty small if they're not fed appropriately as hatchlings, so it's not unfeasible to me that he might be the age they claim.

OP, I'd pick up a digital food scale and start doing some weighing! When I brought Yigg home, I fed him meals that equaled 10 to 15% of his body weight every five days and he grew like a weed. As skinny as he is you may want to feed him smaller prey items that add up to the appropriate amount instead of one larger one, but that would just be to avoid stressing his systems out as you're getting his weight up.

That said, even as skinny as he is you can probably jump up to hoppers or even rat pinks or pups. A good general rule of thumb is that as long as the prey is not bigger around than the girth of the snake at its widest point, your noodle should be able to handle it.

Good luck!

[DennisM]

Yes, move up to mouse hopper or rat fuzzy. Mouse fuzzy is too small for any BP

[Stewart_Reptiles]

You need to feed a prey equal it's girth size at 98 grams he is perfectly capable of taking down a small adult mouse.

If you were/are feeding fuzzies you are under feeding him.

Fuzzies are colubrid food.

Trying and be willing to rescue an animal is great but make sure to do some research as well.



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[Miranda]

Keep us updated on his progress! You are doing a great thing taking him in.

[Jules623]

Just wanted to update you all on, Charlie. Weighted in tonight at 164 grams. Almost doubled his weight in 2 months. He's eating adult mice, every 5/7 days. He's shed twice. He's the sweetest and absolutely beautiful!! Thank you for the help, with him being my first snake and all, I just want the best for him.