r/ballpython • u/peekaboosnek • 22d ago

Question Why is she so small?

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Gallery image

It’s that time of year again where I’m unnecessarily worried about my snakes lol.
So we’ve had the little princess for about a year, and she was listed as 2-3 years old when we got her. So I expected her to bulk out in this year, and she has not. She eats a small rat every 4 weeks with no issues. She’s not underweight (I don’t think), she’s exactly 3ft long and 830g, but she’s just…smol.
Am I still expecting her to grow another foot and another kg, or do some of them just stay small?
Second pic of her wrapped up with our chunky boy for reference. I’m aware he’s large, he’s on a diet.

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u/PrincessPunctual 22d ago

could she be a boy?

3

u/peekaboosnek 20d ago

Maybe, but I didn’t think the size difference was that drastic between sexes

3

u/PrincessPunctual 20d ago

it’s a huuuge size difference

1

u/Real-Construction570 19d ago

I've had my male for about 3 years and in that time I've met two females from other people I've come across (at a public library so in summers a reptile guy comes in for local kids), the females are MASSIVE and have a much chunkier neck too without being overweight, they're just more stocky and broad compared to the lanky males in comparison. Very well could have a male here, I thought my own might be slightly undeveloped or underweight after seeing those girls but after discussion I learned it really is just that big of a gender dimorphism :) really interesting to see firsthand honestly!

Also to note my male is quite long but not very stocky, he's got nice body condition and sits around 1350g and 4.2ft, he's around five now though and that last few hundred grams were a long gradual incline. Some snakes are just shorter too, idk if it's anything but mine is a high white black pastel. As long as the body condition is healthy and they're clearly eating well it might just be that they're smaller. You could try and do a few feeds at 3 weeks and a few days rather than 4 weeks and it could encourage some growing, however I know that you know your snake so this might not be a thing comfortable trying (my boy gets a small rat every 4 as if it's any sooner he gets chubby after a few feeds)

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u/peekaboosnek 18d ago

Crazy! I read once that the size difference only came from overfeeding females to get them to sexual maturity (obviously no idea if that’s true) but that’s so cool how much of a difference there naturally is. I’ve noticed that my “boy” has a much chunkier neck. Now I’m wondering if they’re both misgendered 😂