Scrub growth question

[MDT]

I need some advice..

I have a juvi Scrub measuring (approx) 50". I say approximately because she is hard to get an accurate length. She's 250 gm and every 10 days gets an equivalent of a 25-30 gm meal (2 small mice, 1 large mouse, whatever)....I have had her not quite a year and has since roughly doubled in length. I have only recently started to weigh meals and snake monthly, so I can't say exactly how much she's put on.

My question is, should her growth rate be more? Should her rate of growth be similar to my other Morelia pythons in growth, or should she be experiencing Retic like growth? Here is a pic for reference...

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/mtucker66/IMG_0027_zpsc17caaf7.jpg

[shaunyboy]

i'm guessing scrubs would grow at a faster rate than carpets,due to the size they end up as adults...

if you think both carpets and scrubs will be classed as adults at 4 to 5 years old,factor in the scrubs size,then imo they will grow at a faster rate (i could be wrong though mate)

i will pm you some local specific information on scrubby's mate

cheers shaun

[stephanbakir]

Retics after 2 years of growth, scrub after 3 years.

[stephanbakir]

Not sure why that pic went sideways. The amethystine python is 3 years old, retics are about 2.5

[MDT]

Stephen, what kind of feeding regimen are you following? I found some info that stated at 2 yrs you should expect a snake between 4-6 feet. Mine is just over the 4 ft mark. I'm anxious to start seeing some girth on her though. I sense that my feeding should be a larger prey item. I don't want to cause problems fir her though. I know Retics grow crazy fast, I was kind of like Shaun and assumed that because Scrubs are longer snakes (like Retics), they would likely grow faster. I just can't find anything to really guide me.

[stephanbakir]

Right now my scrub gets a rabbit every 2 weeks, she gets a large meal (150% body girth) every 2-2.5 weeks, when she was younger she got about the same but every 10 days.
Shes currently between 17 and 18 feet. Also a female... shes so much bigger then her brothers, which is odd because males are bigger then females in scrubs.

[Terranaut]

I know scrubs are not carpets but they have many of the same traits.
First off....rats. Get that sucker on rats now. You want to be able to buy 1 jumbo not 6 or 7 adult mice. My 48" carpet is getting small rays now. More food will equal more grow. Questions about growth rates in reptiles are very difficult to answer directly. Unlike mammals, reptiles will just about stop growing if they just about stop eating. I would say Stephans is a great example for 3 yrs. Feed it normaly and expect that pkus or minus a little bit. See. Tough to guess.
Awesome snake though!! Can you handle it yet or do you always need the hook?

[stephanbakir]

Mine is huge for a 3 year old, normal is much smaller, especially for a female.

[Terranaut]

Mine is huge for a 3 year old, normal is much smaller, especially for a female.

She is huge period!!

[DeadlyDesires]

i thought these guys were pretty round in girth? this one looks skinny or is this normal for a juvie? just curious

[stephanbakir]

Nah, scrubs are pretty lean animals. His looks great for a baby, and mine has perfect body shape for an adult.

[DeadlyDesires]

Nah, scrubs are pretty lean animals. His looks great for a baby, and mine has perfect body shape for an adult.


aaah ok, didnt know that :D haven't seen many of them, i thought all the giant snakes were bigger round as well.. nice to know , thanks :D :yes:

[stephanbakir]

Scrubs are completely arboreal, they should be lean. If you see a fat one, it has some serious issues.
Retics should also be lean, its the difference between harry wessles Medusa and prehistoric pets's Twinkie

This is prehistoric pet's twinkie (it's ok if you need to throw up, I think they should be shot just for raising this animal to this size)
http://blog.thereptilezoo.com/image.axd?picture=2013%2F2%2FTwPreg.jpg

Harry Wessles Medusa (In my opinion, the healthiest monster snake in the world)
http://i589.photobucket.com/albums/ss336/Lerxst2112/reticIII.jpg

[Theweinz]

Retics after 2 years of growth, scrub after 3 years.

Stephan,
Aren't those two retics in the first photo Madu/Honey Island local? For two year olds? Great photos. I have always wanted a scrub. That Prehistoric Pet's "Twinkie" is obscene:sorry:

[stephanbakir]

They are platinum 100% het albinos, mainlands :)
My male is about 10 feet and 4-5lbs, female is about 14 feet and 50+ pounds

[MDT]

@Terranaut...I can handle her. I always use a hook to get her out of enclosure, just so she's used to it. Once she's out, she is a pussy cat. Very inquisitive and active. Here's another pic from tonight...I will try to get her switched to rats. Thanks for some guidelines guys, I appreciate it :)

http://i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh572/mtucker66/IMG_0028_zps30371d0e.jpg

[Terranaut]

Oh man I love the eyes. Lucky you :)

[Theweinz]

Beautiful snake!

[millertime89]

She looks a tad thin in the first picture but fine in the second, could just be my phone, anyways try a 50 gram meal. 20% body mass for growing snakes as has never done me wrong, she'll grow faster too (obviously). Know what locality?

[MDT]

Kyle, I'm thinking Merauke, but I'm not sure. I'm goning to stick to the 20% concept and see. Thank you guys very much!