If both were to eat the same amount I think they would probably grow similarly for the first year maybe two. The problem here is the male may not want to eat as much as a female. From a lot of what I have read (no personal experience) females tend to want to eat a lot more when just before breeding time if they are cycled annually as a way to pack on fat stores to help develop eggs. Also each ball python is different. Some seem to be willing to jump on a rat regardless of when the last time they ate was while others don't seem to want to eat unless you give them enough time between meals. Our big boy Seth, an 06 male approx 750 grams, would take down another small rat 2 days after previously eating a small rat given half the chance. After pre scenting the room he is ready and your hand better not get closer than a 1' to his cage while you are dropping that rat as he has snatched one out of the air before it hit the bottom of his tub once already! Then one of our big girls Osiris, 04 female 1808 grams, if you don't wait at least 6 days between feedings she isn't interested.