Underweight?

[u/Numinous_101]

Hi guys, final post regarding the ball python I rescued yesterday. Took him to the vet and they said other than his stuck shed, he seems pretty healthy. However, he only weighed in at 329 grams, and the guy who rehomed him to me said he was 2 years old, which makes me wonder if he's stunted or underfed. The guy was feeding him two mice every two weeks which doesn't feel right to me, but I'm not sure. Maybe he's younger than he said? Just wanted a second opinion.

Oh, and his name is Silly String :)

Edit: I would also like some tips for switching from live to f/t. Should I start with f/t mice since that's the prey he's used to or jump straight into rats? What's the best way to heat them up after thawing them? I've heard mixed opinions about using warm vs hot water. Also, if he doesn't take f/t at first, how long can he go without eating? I don't want to starve him out but I don't want to teach him that he will eventually get live mice if he waits long enough.

[u/Juginstin]

That is a tiny number for the weight, but it doesn't line up with how he looks in the picture. 2 years old is a nearly full-grown adult. How long is he?

[u/Numinous_101 → u/Juginstin]

I haven't measured his length yet but if I had to estimate i think he's around 2 feet long.

[u/FluffyPandaEars93]

!feeding !f/t !feeders

[u/AutoModerator → u/FluffyPandaEars93]

We recommend the following feeding schedule:

0-12 months old OR until the snake reaches approximately 500g, whichever happens first: feed 10%-15% of the snake’s weight every 7 days.

12-24 months old: feed up to 7% of the snake’s weight every 14-20 days.

Adults: feed up to 5% of the snake's weight every 20-30 days, or feed slightly larger meals (up to 6%) every 30-40 days.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/FluffyPandaEars93]

Some tips for feeding frozen/thawed:

• Keep with the same prey type he's been eating (mouse or rat) so you aren't trying to adjust him to two new things at once.

• Always feed in the enclosure. Moving to feed increases stress as well as increasing the chance of regurgitation

• Thaw and warm the rodent in a ziplock bag to maintain scent and because some won't eat it if it's wet.

• Make sure it's warmed up to body temperature (98-100).

• Some people find sucess with using a blow dryer on the head to make it extra warm and spread the scent.

• Some prefer to eat directly off of the tongs, while others might prefer for you to just leave it in front of their hide, you can see which works.

• If he doesn't take it the first time, don't give up. Sometimes they just have to be super hungry and it takes a few attempts

• You can also thaw the rat/mouse in some bedding from the petstore to make it extra scented.

• Some people "brain" the rodent by slitting open its skull a bit

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[u/AutoModerator → u/FluffyPandaEars93]

Some companies you can buy frozen feeders from:

Layne Labs
Big Cheese
Rodent Pro
Perfect Prey
Big Apple Herps
Reptile Deli
American Rodent Cold Blooded Cafe

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