how old do you think he is?

[jay76]

How old would you say my MM is based on his size? I got him in the spring (March I believe) but he'd been in the store for quite a while before that. I'm guessing a year and a half or so, but since I've never really seen an adult, could someone with more experience give me their opinion?

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid80/p8ad34f198a0d8cca572ec5dcc5b0758b/fb0743f5.jpg

[Tim_Cranwill]

I'd say JUST over a year...

[vanderkm]

So hard to estimate age as they can remain very small when underfed (as if often the case in pet stores). A yearling could be not much bigger than a hatchling if kept on pinkies. Our mexmex were much slower growers than corns or kings that hatched the same time.

For comparion, our female is 1.5 years and is about 24 inches long, feeding on small adult mice. Our male is 2.5 years old, 30 inches long and easily taking adult mice. We have an unknown age Durango mountain king that is likely at least 5 years old, may be as old as 10. He is almost 3 feet long, willingly takes adult gerbils and young rats, but I keep him on adult mice because he gets chubby quickly.

This is a female variable kingsnake (pretty close to mexmex) at 1 year of age for comparison.
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/509/63te_a_y_mar_03.jpg

mary v.

[jwsporty]

Here's a pic of my Variable measured in Apr 03 at 21.0". Best guess is he/she is a year old right now. Weighs in at 127 grams(measured yesterday). I agree with Mary on the food issue. I recently picked up a Florida King from a pet store that they had for 4 months and was supposed to have been three months old when it came in, yet it is only 10 grams heavier then my Black Mexi that hatched out in July. Don't be afraid to bump up the food consumption.

[jay76]

Thanks everyone! Looks like 12-14 months is a good guess eh?

Mary, is the slower growth rate of mexmexs possibly related to the smaller relative size of mexmexs compared to other kings?

[Will]

Dude is TINY for his age. Get some food in his belly(Scottish accent required), he's a beauty!

[jay76]

Um thanks... I feed him more often and bigger food than the store did - he's grown quite a bit since I got him home. Next scheduled feeding is wednesday or thursday, pk hopper....

[vanderkm]

Jay,

I think it may be related to smaller adult size - may also relate to their normal environment - less abundant and smaller prey available to them in nature when they are small. They certainly are smaller as babies than corns (at least ours were when we got them) and way smaller than something like a cal king.

I am sure yours will do just great - just don't expect the growth rate of a cal king or honduran milk - these little guys seem to take their time more. They are great snakes though - hope to see them become more popular,

mary v.