I would like to just add a little note to the discoveries we have had.

When we started very early this year (January, 2008) to actually have more than one ball python we were purchasing mid 2007 born snakes most were born in July and August. They came in in the 150 gram to 250 gram range. Right now the largest of the young ones we bought is 1040 grams. The smallest is 601 grams and both are females. (We have also purchased older girls, but I am leaving them out of the equation at this time.) This summer we bought some babies in June that were only 1 month old, so they were hatched in mid May. They came in 59 grams for the male and 74 grams or so for the female. As of last night before feeding them the male was 551 grams and the Female was 634 grams. In 4 1/2 months they have grown like crazy. We also purchased 2 other females in July that were June born. One of them did not eat for the first month and we had to assist feed to get her started and now she is doing fine. At her lightest she was 35 grams and is now 182 grams. Her sister which ate right away started at 59 grams and is now up to 355 grams. Looking at our records when we get them young (like a month old) their growth rates out do that of the ones that had been previously maintenance fed for the purpose of sale for 6 months before we bought them.

We just got two more new baby het clowns. The female is off to a great start while the male is being little stinker and not eating. We will have to add them to our trends to see how things go. We try getting all of our snakes on rat pups as soon as possible.

This is just some observations we have made that I thought I would put out for those interested, those not interested can take it with a grain of salt.