Stimson's Python possibly stunted?

[NoodleWolfi]

Hi all!

I have a Stimson's python who is 7ish years old. I've had her (unconfirmed gender but breeder told me most likely female) since she was 11 months old. The breeder actively told me he'd been feeding her as little as possible because 'people won't buy big snakes. They want little ones'. So she was very small when bought. I feed her every 1-2 weeks and have since I got her, and while she's grown in length, she isn't as big as Stimson's pythons I see in pet stores and owned by other people. I saw a 2 year old that is much thicker than her. She isn't losing weight and she sheds frequently, but I don't think she's as big as she's supposed to be.

I feed her weaned rats, though I recently bought some DOCs to see if they'll get some weight on her.

Is it possible the breeder's lack of feeding for her first 11 months of life stunted her growth? Or am I just not feeding her properly? I follow the guide of having her food roughly the same size as her widest part.

I've attached photos of her. I know I shouldn't have supported the breeder and bought her from him but I was a teenager who didn't know any better.

 

[dragonlover1]

the breeder obviously has some weird ideas about "people wanting little ones". The general rule of feeding is one to one and half times body width. So if it doesn't leave a slight bulge it isn't big enough, but in saying that you don't want an obese python. Remember that captive pythons don't get as much exercise as wild ones who go for long periods without food

 

[NoodleWolfi]

the breeder obviously has some weird ideas about "people wanting little ones". The general rule of feeding is one to one and half times body width. So if it doesn't leave a slight bulge it isn't big enough, but in saying that you don't want an obese python. Remember that captive pythons don't get as much exercise as wild ones who go for long periods without food

Yeah, I think he was breeding more than he had the demand for so he kept ending up with a bunch of adult snakes. It was a whole thing. Haven't been back there since I bought my Stimmy.

And okay, she always has a visible bulge, so I think I'm feeding her fine. I just don't understand why she's so much thinner than other Stimmys I see. I guess if she's having regular, healthy sheds and has that visible bulge when eating, she might just be small.

 

[dragonlover1]

Yeah, I think he was breeding more than he had the demand for so he kept ending up with a bunch of adult snakes. It was a whole thing. Haven't been back there since I bought my Stimmy.

And okay, she always has a visible bulge, so I think I'm feeding her fine. I just don't understand why she's so much thinner than other Stimmys I see. I guess if she's having regular, healthy sheds and has that visible bulge when eating, she might just be small.

that may be so. not all snakes ( or reptiles) grow the same, I've been breeding reptiles for nearly 20 years. Some are great feeders, some just watch the others. they are just like us hoomans so don't expect them all to be the same. If your stimmy is healthy then don't worry what other stimmie's do