How old exactly?

[Cherry4812]

I got my ball python about a month ago and the breeder I bought him from said he was a hatchling. I don't exactly know how old a hatchling is. He's about 17 inches long. How old might he be do you think? Also how long can a snake his age go without food? I know older ones can go a long time (i've heard 6 months) but he's little.

[Wolfus_305]

Hi there,
I have a six-ish year old ball python named Wolfus. Hmmm i'm not sure how old he would be with those measurements, you could probably find that info somewhere on google or looking on here through pictures people have posted of their pythons.

About the eating, I'm not sure how long little ones can go without eating but I've found that my BP gets stressed very easily. If you only got him about a month ago then if he isn't eating it could be stress from the move. Wolfus went 11.5 months without eating after I got him last September, I was asking around on this forum if it was normal and I was told that BP's normally go off their food in the winter. Also check the temps and humidity in the tank and make sure they are correct for a BP. What was your BP eating when you got it? Mice maybe Frozen/thawed?

Be sure to keep us updated
Kenny

[Will0W783]

Hatchling usually refers to any snake less than a yearling I think- at 17 inches, he's probably at least 4-6 months old. I have a pair of yellowbelly BPs that are about 4 months and 6 months old, and they are only about a foot long each. But different snakes can have slightly different growth rates, depending on what and how often they've been fed, and also just individual variations. A good rule of thumb is to feed hatchlings every 5-7 days, yearling-juveniles every 7-10 days and adults every 10-14 days. I feed my baby BPs every 7 days and my adults every other week.

[mykee]

I've had a 3000g 18 year old female go 22 months without food. As for finding out his age, cut him open and count the rings...

[Will0W783]

ROTFLMAO, Mykee!!!

[TPG]

I've had a 3000g 18 year old female go 22 months without food. As for finding out his age, cut him open and count the rings...

LOL Mykee

to the OP your snake is 1 year old, if you want to find the exact day your snake was born the breeder you bought him/her from would/should have records if you really want to know