How to tell if a snake is underweight?

[jacques92]

Would like some tips on how to tell if a snake is underweight ?
i have tried good old google but couldnt find much on how to tell if a snake is underweight just a lot of articals about fat snakes

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

Do you mean malnourished or just small for its age?

 

[jacques92]

Malnourished
hes a fully grown darwin carpet python
but looks a bit on the skiny side

 

[riotgirlckb]

weight would be a good indication, every animal has a weight range it should be in

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

Loose skin, lethargic, bad shedding, (due to lack of energy), ribs easy to feel

 

[jacques92]

Thanks for the replies
what the ideal weight range for an adult darwin carpet

 

[RedFox]

Ideal weight depends on the length and species of the snake.

 

[Gruni]

Muscle tone...

One site I found says '...reaching between 2 to 4 metres (6.6 to 13 ft) in length and weighing up to 15 kilograms' so it really depends on how long your snake is as to how heavy he should be.

 

[Snowman]

weight would be a good indication, every animal has a weight range it should be in

I can't agree with this just due to the massive size difference in adults. Some are definitely bigger than others etc.

basically what Paul said is the only way. You want to be able to see the spine, but not the ribs.

 

[Gruni]

basically what Paul said is the only way. You want to be able to see the spine, but not the ribs.

I knew the dip along the spine was a way to tell if the snake is over weight but wasn't sure how it fitted into the other side of the coin, which is why I said muscle tone.