need some advise

[Melyssa_anne]

OK, heres my story. I got my first snake(obviously a BP) 3or 4 days ago. Its kinda a rescue. My hubby's coworker was getting rid of it so I went to take a look and notice it was very tiny for a year old BP. So I talk my hubby into letting me get it ( he is scared of them) and now that its here I see fully what is wrong or what I think it wrong. It is about 18-20inches long and only 85g. Thats right a supposedly year old BP only 85 grams. I know that it is at least 6 months old. They people I got it from has had it only 6 months but they were told it was 6 months to a year when the bout it. What is a good weight and length for a 6month old BP. Also how often should i attempt feeding? I was thinking every 5 days because it could use some weight. Thanks for any advise you can all give
Melyssa
Ps sorry its so long

[Nate]

wow...my one year old ball python is 800 grams...something doesn't sound right.

do you see bones sticking out?

Pics may help too

[python.princess]

yeah, definitely try and get some pics up when u can! good luck with the little guy!

[Melyssa_anne]

OK here are some pics















I couldnt get one of his/her length s/he wouldnt move from my hand

[Nate]

I certainly wouldn't say more than a year old..and did you weigh the snake? That's not 85 grams

Looks OK from what I can see.

[Melyssa_anne]

I did weigh it maybe its time for a new scale. :-) glad it looks ok

[JLC]

The snake may be small, but definitely does not look emaciated or anything. Some just grow slow....and people often misquote their ages when they change hands. Looks like a lovely little thing. You can feed it every five days for awhile, if you want, but I think every seven days would be fine as well.


And a trip to the vet might be in order as well...at the very least, to drop off a stool sample to check for worms. If it has internal parasites, that could also explain a significantly slower growth rate than other snakes its same age.

[harfieldthethirsty]

the snake seems to look good. I think the snake might just be younger than they were told. hatchlings range from 10 to 17 inches long. Is he eating? if not let the little guy settle in for a week to 10 days and try feeding him a mouse no bigger than the diameter of his body if he eats I wouldnt worry. If not make sure all the husbandry is good clean tank, temps, humidity, hides and soforth.