Do I just have a small snake?

[neurotic88]

Hey everyone.


I have a quick question about my JCP's size.

I know the pet store was only feeding 1 hopper mouse every 2 weeks or so, and the owner of the shop told me when I purchased him, he was 8 months old.

I measured him last night and he is 25 inches long exactly.

Isn't that extremely small for his age? he's eating a rat fuzzy every 5-7 days now, but hasn't shed since I have had him.

I ask because I read some people saying their snake is 3-4 feet in 1 year.. where my guy is barely past 2 :(

Thoughts?

[Reptile_Reptile]

try to get him on rats. that will speed growth. idk about their age to size ratios tho.

[neurotic88]

try to get him on rats. that will speed growth. idk about their age to size ratios tho.

Hehe, I guess you missed it, I did that as soon as I got him home, and hes eating rat fuzzies every 5-7 days now :)

[dshin963]

... I hate petstores.... Im pretty sure they underfeed them to keep them small and "cute"... it is really irritating... there is a blood python at a petstore near me and its getting fed 1 rat pup every week... hes 15 months old... and maybe a little bit wider than my 3-4 month old BP...
I'm getting angry while I am typing this...

[neurotic88]

So..

Do you figure my snake is small for his age?

I am really hoping he gets to aprox 6'

[dshin963]

Ummm I dont have any experience with JCP... i was just venting :P
But then again every snake is different right.
How big is the rat in comparison to the girth of the snake at its widest point? it should be atleast 1-1.5 times its size should be able to see a nice little bulge after its eaten
Also you said he hasnt shed since youve gotten him? when did you get him?
Fuzzies sound a little small... my 16-18" BP is eating pups...

Hope this helps :)

[neurotic88]

Thanks Dan,

Question tho, isn't a 18" BP alot thicker then a JCP?
My JCP is only maybe 1"-1.5" at his thickest part.

Just scares me a little that so many people have snakes 5x larger then mine at a year old.

The rat fuzzies are about the same width as him if not slightly bigger Id say when eaten

[dshin963]

Uhhh my BP at its thickest is around... 1" maybe smaller.. hes just a baby
uhhh if its the same size try two fuzzies next feed and if he takes em both try going up a size the feed after that

and again not much experience with JCP never held one personally but yea sounds like you could move him up a size... whoaa.. Deja vu... weird...
Also when did you get him? so other members more experienced with JCP can tell you when he should shed by.... but again upping his food will make him grow quicker as well as shed more often

[neurotic88]

Uhhh my BP at its thickest is around... 1" maybe smaller.. hes just a baby
uhhh if its the same size try two fuzzies next feed and if he takes em both try going up a size the feed after that

and again not much experience with JCP never held one personally but yea sounds like you could move him up a size... whoaa.. Deja vu... weird...
Also when did you get him? so other members more experienced with JCP can tell you when he should shed by.... but again upping his food will make him grow quicker as well as shed more often


Ok, I can try giving him 2 rat fuzzies instead of one.

As long as its not too much for him?

Suggestions from any other JCP owners? ;)

25" 9 month old male who is aprox 1" thick eating 2 rat fuzzy instead of one? :D


Thanks!

[Reptile_Reptile]

maybe he has some iran jaya (i think thats what it is) the smallest scrub python species in him.

[citysnakes]

its not the size of the snake, its what you do with it. he'll put on the weight in your care and with a consistent feeding schedule. theres no rush, just give him time.

[neurotic88]

its not the size of the snake, its what you do with it. he'll put on the weight in your care and with a consistent feeding schedule. theres no rush, just give him time.


Nope, no rush. but I am just wondering if he is being fed the appropriate meal size for his size.

[Lankyrob]

JCP can take quite a big prey item for their size, yours does sound kinda small but all snakes are different, he may have a later growth spurt and overtake the others.

My JCP is taking medium size rats that are easily 2-3 times his body size.

[neurotic88]

JCP can take quite a big prey item for their size, yours does sound kinda small but all snakes are different, he may have a later growth spurt and overtake the others.

My JCP is taking medium size rats that are easily 2-3 times his body size.


Hey Rob!

Actually, this thread helped alot, (I think)

In this area there's a thread about what feeder size, and the links a picture of his snake

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/attachments/morelia-spilota/11892d1299037654-what-size-food-dscn4251.jpg

That looks very very close to the size of my JCP, and if he is eating rat pups, I can most likely feed my guy 2x fuzzies and use them up and then switch to pups eh?

This is only 2 weeks old of my JCP

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o239/CombatWombat_2006/Pyton015.jpg

[Lankyrob]

I would double up the fuzzies and get him used to extra food intake and then moce up when you buy new prey items. He is quite small for his age looking at the pics, with the extra calories you may find he sheds, grows and sheds again in quick succession.

[neurotic88]

I would double up the fuzzies and get him used to extra food intake and then moce up when you buy new prey items. He is quite small for his age looking at the pics, with the extra calories you may find he sheds, grows and sheds again in quick succession.

Okay, well I have had him 3 weeks and no shed so far, and I do document each of my snakes sheds, and weigh / measure them too so.

I will try 2 fuzzies at feeding time tonight and let you know if he eats both :)

Thanks for everyones help!