Finally....a digital scale

[TanyaL]

I didn't know it but we've had a digitial scale all along. While it used to be a kitchen scale, it's now a snake scale!

Anyhow, we placed Foster on the scale and weighs in at 134 grams. The pet shop said that they had her for about 4 months when we bought her and we've had her just over a month (12/19) so I can only guess that she is at least or about 5 months old. What do you think about her weight and approximate age? Personally, I think she looks a bit skinny. She has only eaten twice for us so far and shed once.

[wicked5446]

My guys that age are about 250-350g. If it were me i would start feeding twice a week but prey item should be no bigger around than she is. Good luck. At least you have a scale i still don't have one. Got any pics of her?

[TanyaL]

Thanks for the reply! I was beginning to wonder if maybe I had reached my limit of questions! LOL

The pet shop we got her from said that they were feeding her every two weeks and I think they said they were feeding her pinks. We bumped it up to fuzzies (mouse), once a week but I have since learned that I need to go larger and will for sure. She is due to be fed tomorrow based on a 5 day feeding schedule. The last time, she ate a large fuzzy that was bought by accident (parents don't listen and think they know everything), she took the first one no problem but refused the second. At least we were able to get the largest of the three fuzzies down.

I feel so bad for not knowing any better. How long do you think it would take to get her weight up to where it should be? Is there some kind of chart or guidelines on ideal weight?

Would feeding twice a week be ok and if so, what size would be recommended? I know I need something a bit smaller than her girth but honestly, I don't think I could go much bigger than a fuzzy mouse. She really is very slender, IMO.

Considering the feeding schedule she was on at the pet store, is she at an expected weigth or would a vet check be in order to rule out parasites or any other problems? I hate to say it but right now, I can't afford a vet trip since our 11 yo golden is at the ER vet as I speak and it's not looking good for him, at all! I am just praying that they bring him home. So, if a herp vet visit can wait, that would be great, at least until after a few feedings to see if she will gain any weight.

Since I can't seem to insert pics, here is a link to what I have so far, from about two weeks ago. Nothing special! I tried to get more pics today but between being camera shy and camera problems it didn't work out.
http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b234/MXMom/Foster/

What do you think? Suggestions PLEASE

[mooingtricycle]

baby ball pythons can eat a smaller adult mouse right out of the egg, if your animal is five months old, start feeding one mouse a week.

[frankykeno]

She does sound a bit small but then all snakes grow at different rates. The fact that the pet store was feeding the poor thing a tiny pinky mouse every 2 weeks is likely why she's the size she is. Our feeding routine here is every 5 days until they reach 150 to 200 grams, then once every 7 days. She's likely quite able to take a young adult mouse (not a huge breeder mouse, just a nice young adult/recently weaned size).

Just remember to not rush anything, just a nice steady increase in prey size and you'll see a good and healthy weight gain.

[Spaniard]

I would go for an adult mouse or a rat pup; they're quite able to handle something that size. You'll be amazed at the growth you will see when you increase the size of the prey item a bit. Not only was he being fed a small meal but also far in between. Snakes your age should be feeding every 5-7 days.

[JoshJP7]

Many stores and breeders feed smaller prey less often so it keeps the snakes small... whats going to sell quicker a baby BP or a larger one? You can def bump him/her up to a large mouse(25gish)... When I got my pewter she was only 65g and within a month we got her up over 125g feeding every 5 days or so.

[TanyaL]

I will without a doubt take all recomendations serious and bump her up. She was suppose to be fed today but it's been a tough day around here. We had to put our 11 yo golden to sleep last night and now our beagle mix is spending the day at the vet's office with 105 fever (this usually happens every 6 months). Hopefully tomorrow we will get that small adult mouse for Foster.

I've been up since 5:30 yesterday morning so I think it's time for me to get some sleep!

[frankykeno]

Oh Tanya what an awful day for you. My thoughts are with you over the loss of such an old faithful friend and then to have your other dog come down ill as well. What a terribly stressful time for you.

Your snake will not be hurt in any way to wait a day or two to be fed. They are ambush predators who were designed by nature to eat when and if they can. A bit of a delay in feeding due to these unusual circumstances isn't going to cause a bit of harm so no worries there.