Python Growth Rates?

[Christian75]

Dudes,

Which species of aussie pythons grow the fastest? I've heard that some species like DP's grow quickly in the first three years then slow down dramatically. Is this true?

Does more feeding necessarily mean bigger snake or does it mean fatter, unhealthy snake with pin head??

Which pythons are more suitable to being "grown" quickly? I'm hoping to get a BHP this season and have heard that they'll take whatever you offer and be better for it.

Anway, looking forward to any answers and advice.

[mysnakesau]

I've been told it has much to do with how they are fed. They will grow faster if fed more often and slower if not fed as often. But I have read that the general growth rate is about 30cm a year - mind you my port diamond grew 60cm in 4 months

[serpenttongue]

The BHP's and Olives tend to be fast growers, as would Scrub Pythons. I think the slowest growing pythons would be Diamonds and Bredls.

I think you would really need to stuff a snake full of food constantly for it to get Pin Head Syndrome (something i have never seen). While young, most snakes will grow rapidly with a large intake of food. I think if a snake is going to put on weight (as in fat) then it will most likely occur as an adult.

[hazzard]

I agree with serpent!

[ace#74]

iv got a 3 1/2 ft carpet and its sibling are only 2 ft there 9 months the big one is only feed once a week the other have been bad feeders since hatching but now they are catching up

[Sdaji]

Water Pythons would be among the fastest growers, but I imagine Scrubbies would be pretty clear winners. I've grown Water Pythons and Carpet Pythons to over 6' within their first year (yes, averaging close to 3cm of growth per week), and Scrubbies can pretty comfortably get to 8' by one year of age (yes, averaging about 4cm per week). Even Children's Pythons can grow to about 90cm by one year of age. I've grown bredli to pretty close to 6' before one year of age. Pretty obviously, the Children's Pythons would be slowest, but that's because anything else can outgrow their absolute maximum potential (or at least come very close) within a year.

I believe Water Pythons are the Australian Python most suited to rapid growth. Black-headed Pythons are often grown very quickly, but some experts believe this is seriously detrimental to Aspidites, more than any other python. I can't comment on rapid growth in Aspidites from personal experience.

Speaking of powerfeeding, Jade Kong, my experimentally powerfed Water Python produced her first clutch of eggs a couple of days ago.

[horsenz]

Originally Posted by Sdaji

Water Pythons would be among the fastest growers, but I imagine Scrubbies would be pretty clear winners. I've grown Water Pythons and Carpet Pythons to over 6' within their first year (yes, averaging close to 3cm of growth per week), and Scrubbies can pretty comfortably get to 8' by one year of age (yes, averaging about 4cm per week). Even Children's Pythons can grow to about 90cm by one year of age. I've grown bredli to pretty close to 6' before one year of age. Pretty obviously, the Children's Pythons would be slowest, but that's because anything else can outgrow their absolute maximum potential (or at least come very close) within a year.

I believe Water Pythons are the Australian Python most suited to rapid growth. Black-headed Pythons are often grown very quickly, but some experts believe this is seriously detrimental to Aspidites, more than any other python. I can't comment on rapid growth in Aspidites from personal experience.

Speaking of powerfeeding, Jade Kong, my experimentally powerfed Water Python produced her first clutch of eggs a couple of days ago.

bredli you have bredli are you not the sdaji that hates bredli,me thinks you love bredli if you have them

[Sdaji]

I should have known better than to have mentioned bredli in public! Yes, I hate Carpets, they bore me, they look good, they're good for lots of people, they're not my thing because they have dull personalities (Carpet lovers flame away if it pleases you).

I gave away the bredli I raised, remember?

[horsenz]

you gave them away???? i seem to think they are still in your house,see you do love them