How big should my 2 year old python be?

[Koula]

Hi all. I have a beautiful SA southern ranges type Murray Darling python who is nearly 2 years old. I bought him as a baby from URS and he is my first python.

Anyhow, I went to the Gladstone Reptile Expo yesterday and they had a 8 month old Murray Darling (Victorian type by the looks/colouration) and he was a big chunky lookin fella. He was the same length as my MD, but nearly twice as stocky/fat looking. Is this a difference bewteen SA mds and VIC mds?

I feed mine regularly on mice and the odd chicken neck, he has never missed a feed, and is otherwise in great health. I'm just worried about growth rate in case Im doing anything wrong. I'll try to get some photos happening with him next to a can of coke or something for size comparison.


PS: They had a huge 16 year old coastal carpet python there as well, a massive beast. I'm guessing snakes grow continuously throughout life?

 

[big_head]

how often is regularly and how big is the food item??

 

[funcouple]

2y/o MD should be between 1.5-2m growth rate depends on how often you feed and the size of the food your feeding. a 2y/o MD sould be feeding on medium/large rats of about 150g

 

[Koula]

I was told to feed him every 7-10 days. Food size is a typical Pisces adult mouse. Every 2 or 3 feeds I add an extra weanling mouse. Once a month I let him have a small/medium chicken neck (he could probably take down a whole neck, but I was advised not to feed him things bigger than 3 times his head length.)

Ive taken some photos, will upload them soon.

 

[funcouple]

an adult mouse is around 30g. feeding a small feed will keep your snake alive, but not leave anything to use for growing. trust me a snake wont eat anything that is to big for them. try feeding it a small weaner rat about 40-45g next feed, then feed every 7 days. keep your enclosure at 30C in the centre. upsize the feeds about every 6 feeds.

 

[Koula]

Hmmm... I hope I haven't unintentionally stunted his growth forever. Will he grow his recommended size if I change his feeding times to what you mentioned? Or is it to late to 'fix' it?

I'm resizing the photos now.

 

[big_head]

i agree with funcouple..get him onto rats keep upping the sizes. you will be amazed at the sizes they can eat, well i am sometimes!!

 

[funcouple]

he will pick up and should end up a normal size

 

[Koula]

Here are some pics, including one of him with his head right on top of the coke can.

 

[Koula]

My record book says I purchased him as a hatchling on 16th of May 2007 so yeah, he's pretty close to the 2 year mark.

 

[funcouple]

hes very small for his age. feed him as ive said and he will pick up

 

[Koula]

Damn. Righto, I'll pump up his feeding times - thanks all for the swift help/responses.

 

[celticskull]

dont change the feeding times change the size of the food you feed him
try a med rat im sure it will fit it in then give it a couple of weeks and feed again as the snake growes so should the size of its food

 

[funcouple]

dont change the feeding times change the size of the food you feed him
try a med rat im sure it will fit it in then give it a couple of weeks and feed again as the snake growes so should the size of its food

sorry but i really dont think he will manage a medium (about 90g) rat at this point in time

 

[celticskull]

if it was mine i would feed it a med rat every 2 weeks but thats just my opinion
not sure where you get your food but around hear a med rat isnt that much bigger than a large mouse

 

[KaaTom]

I would start with a lge weaner or small adult rat and see how he goes. For his age he is small but you'll have him growing in no time

 

[KaaTom]

if it was mine i would feed it a med rat every 2 weeks but thats just my opinion
not sure where you get your food but around hear a med rat isnt that much bigger than a large mouse

Up here a med rat would easily be 5x the size of a adult mouse, my newly weaned rats are bigger than an adult mouse

 

[funcouple]

if it was mine i would feed it a med rat every 2 weeks but thats just my opinion
not sure where you get your food but around hear a med rat isnt that much bigger than a large mouse

i breed my own. best you look up a few rodent breeders and check there weights against size. theres a couple that advertise on this site. just so you know an adult mouse is about the same size as a weaner rat, about 40g. anyway ill leave it with you

 

[celticskull]

i should get my food from qld then hahahaaa

 

[Hooglabah]

im constantly amazed by how much people uderestimate the stretchyness of a python (not haveing a go at anyone) the way ive always checked food size is to chuck whatever sized food im wondering about in there and if they down it they down it. i seiously doubt a python will eat a food item that is too big it might try but i wouldnt get it down. in saying that however you still dont want to over feed them or feed them an item that is to big either. you could probably get away with a small (very small) rat but personally id go 2 weaners he will down both and its about the same amount of food as a small rat maybe a little more. jmo tho