Murray Darling Carpet Python Size

[hunterschamps]

Hi guys,

I finally got myself a murray darling carpet, bought her from a local pet shop.. She is aprox 40 months old, measures in around 1.2m and weighs around 450grams..

My question being, is she undersize for her age? I have heard pet shops underfeed thier snakes to retain a smaller size.. Should i worry about being undersized?

Cheers.

 

[Snapped]

That doesn't sound enough, can you post a pic?

 

[Bec]

That doesn't sound right. I have a 2 year old who is 2kg and just over 2 metres long. Did the shop give you any information as to why it was that size?

 

[hunterschamps]

View attachment 289346

 

[hunterschamps]

Pic quality isnt real good but that is her there. She is feeding normally, once a week on 2 mice currently, but starting on rats this weekend.

 

[Snapped]

Attachment didn't show up, you have to add the pic into your post. My MD is 5 ft 2, and is heavy.

 

[hunterschamps]

Check the post above /\ have added the photo

 

[Snapped]

Are you sure she's only 450 grams? She looks much heavier in that photo, who weighed her?

 

[Bart70]

I have a MD that is around 2 years old (as advised - I did not have her as a hatchy). She is approx 150cm long and was 940 grams at her last 'weigh in' about 2-3 weeks ago.

I guess the main question is if yours is healthy as opposed to undersize. Being a bit smaller is not necessarily a bad thing as most captive bred snakes grow quicker than they would if in the wild due to being fed more regularly etc....Having a bit less to eat does not necessarily mean it has been starved or is undernourished IMHO.

Personally, as long as yours is healthy, put it on a good feeeding regime (not over the top....just a good regular regime) and it should remain healthy and slowly put on condition. I don't believe in 'feeding it up' quickly unless it is underfed to the point where it's health is suffering in which case a vet assessment and guidance would be your best way forward.

Others may share a different view though.

EDIT: Your pic did not work when I first tried it but now I can see it - that snake defintely looks chunkier than my girl, and my girl weighs 940 grams. I would re-weigh with a view to ensuring the scales are accurate. That snake does not look to underfed to me although it is not a great photo. It is a lovely snake by the way....I love our MD - The most amazing temperament for a family snake.

 

[hunterschamps]

I will re-check as i weighed her on some fairly accurate kitchen scales... But maybe they are out, i could be wrong. Will double check that at home

 

[Baturb]

my MD is 14 months old and just under 3 feet I havent weighed him though, he is feeding on large fuzzy rats, yours should be on much larger food than adult mice one a week

 

[hunterschamps]

Supply of rats in the area is a bit hard, ive only just got my hands on some recently

 

[Trimeresurus]

Way undersized.

 

[andynic07]

In my opinion if a snake is small for its age but still looks healthy (not skinny) then that is fine and your snake looks fine to me.

 

[hunterschamps]

I thought it being undersized would be the case.. I seen quite a few posts people who have 2 y.o murray darlings that weigh a kilo and are a foot longer so will just keep her on a regular diet and she will grow in no time!

 

[hunterschamps]

Double checked her weight, 500grams tonight so she has put on 70g since i got her a month ago..

 

[hunterschamps]

Went into the shop again today and had a look at the matching male that they had there.. He is just on 1.2m and probably only weighs 400g... Again the bloke said that this snake is around 3 and 1/2 years old..

 

[Crimson.Massacre]

My MD is currently 15 months old (to the day), approx 120cm and weighed in today at 445g. So, in comparison, the shop may have underfed her a little. Then again, mine is a male NSW strain, so it could just be the rate at which different localities/sexes grow. I feed mine a weaner rat once a week, so I'd definitely up the food weight, and she should grow a heap in no time

 

[hunterschamps]

Yeah been doin that, shes put on some really good conditioning lately so im very happy about that!

 

[Tobe404]

Does locality make that much of a difference? Mine are from SA bloodlines as far as I know.
Male is around 3 foot and 220g. Female is around 5-6 foot and 1.5kg. Both around 16 months old. Same clutch.
Shows you how different the sizes can be. Male has been a very picky bugger about his food though.
Only just starting to get him back on track again after weeks-months of non-feeding 'episodes'. I guess you'd call it.
Note. Husbandray hasn't changed. Went from Mice/Rats to Quail/Chicken. Took his 4th Chick last night.
I try to feed mine at least 20% of their body weight each time.