Age of maturity?

teague · 09-10-09, 01:51 PM

OK folks I have another easy question for you...at what age will my BP be considered an "adult"? My Col RTB?

Will0W783 · 09-11-09, 08:06 AM

By "adult" you mean old enough to breed? Or full-grown? From what I understand, snakes can and do grow their whole lives. While the majority of growth occurs in the first two-three years, if fed enough they can continue to grow well into their second decade. Breeding has more to do with size than age. Male BPs generally can breed at 18-24 months and 500-700g, but females need to be larger, closer to 1000g as they cannot eat while they are carrying eggs and must have enough body weight to handle it. RTBs the males are mature at 18 months or 3+ feety while females are more towards 3 years, or 6+ feet. Again, it's more the size that counts than the age.

teague · 09-11-09, 01:54 PM

Thanks Willow, I did not know any of that. Looked all over online to find out. I know I've said it before, but thanks for being on here. Such a great place to get answers. None of my friends have or want snakes, and know nothing about them.

**Aaron_S** · 09-11-09, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will0W783

but females need to be larger, closer to 1000g...

You actually shouldn't be saying something like this as fact when you don't know what you're talking about.

Female ball pythons should be in the 1500 gram area and NOT the 1000 gram area. At 1000 grams you'd most likely kill the snake.

Will0W783 · 09-11-09, 05:12 PM

Oh wow, I'd been told 1000g and read it, I'm sorry. My mistake.

Will0W783 · 09-12-09, 10:31 AM

It's always better to err on the side of caution and wait until the snakes are larger, anyway. I haven't actually bred my ball pythons yet, I was just going by what I'd read in books and online. My female BP is HUGE-1860g, and she bred for the previous owner. My yellowbelly pair is only a few months old and I have been doing as much research as possible on them to make sure I have everything ready for them when they get old enough. It seems that I will have to write off my previous sources and do more research. Thank you Aaron for pointing that out. Teague, I'm so sorry I gave you misinformation- I honestly thought I was posting good info for you. Please don't think any less of me. Aaron, also please don't think any less of me-you've been around in the hobby longer than I have and I don't want anyone to think me a fool or anything.

I feel quite stupid right now.

pyythonboa · 09-12-09, 12:46 PM

it was good that you gave wrong info so aaron could correct u.how else would you have learned, thats wat this site is all about each one teach one,no need to feel lik a fool.but 1500 grams is about right

Will0W783 · 09-12-09, 01:39 PM

Thanks pythonboa

gonesnakee · 09-13-09, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyythonboa

it was good that you gave wrong info so aaron could correct u.how else would you have learned, thats wat this site is all about each one teach one,no need to feel lik a fool.but 1500 grams is about right

WRONG! for a female BP you should be looking at 2000-2500g+
You folks are quoting others bare minimums.
ANY female Boid (Boa/Python) should be at least 4 YO prior breeding, males 2 years. ANY female Coulbrid at least 3 YO, males 18 months - 2 YO.
Some females take 5-6 years to be ready.
Everybody always wants to be in a big hurry & set the bar WAY too low

Give the snakes a chance to properly mature & reach their full size potential as well. No snake has ever died by waiting another year but tons have died from not waiting & trying too soon.
You want healthy snakes that breed healthy babies for a long time wait that extra year or 2.
Its in the animlas BEST INTERESTS which SHOULD be the keepers best interests as well, Mark

teague · 09-13-09, 03:02 PM

Not interested in breeding my balls. Was just wondering when they became adults. But I appreciate all the info. Had no idea that they grew their entire lives. Cool!

**Aaron_S** · 09-13-09, 07:37 PM

Hey Mark, a bare minimum still counts as "proper breeding size"

Anyways, you're correct. I have a female normal ball python here who is an 08 and she's grown very well for me. I plan to keep her growing for another couple years I think because I believe she will be a big girl if I let her grow up some more and just pound back her rats.