Ball Python Size & Weight Guide
During the past few years, the Ball Python has become one of the most popular pets because of its docile nature, easy care, and long lifespan. They have been known to live up to 30 years if cared for properly, and the best part is that they cannot bite.
The size of a juvenile Ball Python is dependent on the mother's offspring. It is known that male and female Ball Pythons, when they hatch, are the same size and weight, but once they start growing, females grow up to 1.5 times faster than males.
Ball Python owners need to know the size of the Ball Python in order to be able to provide sufficient space to account for their Ball Python, as well as to give them food according to their size. In order to ensure that a person can provide the Ball Python with all the requirements in the habitat it requires, they must know the size of the Ball Python before they purchase it. In this article we provide you with all of the information you need to know about Ball Python weight and size, so you should read this article carefully.
Size of the Male and Female Ball Pythons accordingly to their Age
Generally, Ball Pythons grow very quickly from one hatching to the next, and they keep growing for about three to four years. Both males and females are almost the same height when hatching. However, after they grow up, female Ball Pythons almost double in size compared with male Ball Pythons. You can see the chart below about Ball Python sizes by age for a better understanding.
Age | Male Python Size | Female Python Size |
---|---|---|
Hatching | 10 to 16 inches | 10 to 16 inches |
1 month | 10 to 16 inches | 10 to 16 inches |
6 month | 18 to 25 inches | 18 to 25 inches |
9 month | 26 to 30 inch | 26 to 36 inch |
1 year | 1.5 to 2 feet | 2 to 2.5 feet |
1.5 year | 2 to 2.5 feet | 2 to 3.5 feet |
2 years | 2 to 3 feet | 2.5 to 3.5 feet |
3 years | 2.5 to 3.5 feet | 3 to 5 feet |
4 + year | 2.5 to 3.5 feet | 4 to 6 feet |
Weight of the Male and Female Ball Pythons accordingly to their Age
As with the size of the Ball Python, the weight of the Ball Python is the same when hatching, but as they become older, the female ball has more weight than the male Ball Python. To better understand, please take a look at the chart below, which shows the weight of Ball Pythons according to their age.
Age | Male Python Weight | Female Python Weight |
---|---|---|
Hatching | 1.75 to 2.85 Oz | 1.75 to 2.85 Oz |
1 month | 2.50 to 4 Oz | 2.50 to 4 Oz |
6 month | 9.5 to 12.5 oz | 10.5 to 12.5 Oz |
9 month | 14 to 16.5 oz | 15 to 16.6 Oz |
1 year | 1 to 1.75 lbs | 1.40 to 1.75 lbs |
1.5 year | 1.35 to 2 lbs | 2.4lbs to 3.4 lbs |
2 years | 1.75 to 2.45 lbs | 2.65 to 4 lbs |
3 years | 1.98 to 2.65 lbs | 2.70 to 4.7 lbs |
4 + year | 1.98 to 2.70 lbs | 4.4 to 6.6 lbs |
Where does the growth rate of a Ball Python depend on?
The growth rate of Ball Pythons depends on several factors, some of which are listed below.
- Prey size.
- Prey species
- Feeding frequency
- Temperature of tank
- Size of their egg
What is the reason for the slow growth of my Ball Python?
We have a lot of Ball Python owners who have questions concerning what mistakes they made that caused their Ball Python to stop growing, so for them, we have provided six reasons why your Ball Python is not growing so that you can read them and not make the same mistake in the future.
A poor diet
The main reason why Ball Pythons do not grow regularly is because of a poor diet. If you feed your young Ball Python mice or rate that leads to your young Ball Python slowing down the growth rate. If you do not have a feeding schedule and you feed your Ball Python infrequently and on a poor diet, then your Ball Python will stop growing.
It is important to offer your Ball Python healthy diet babies and juvenile Ball Pythons should be fed mice, whereas adult Ball Pythons should be fed rats and mice as well, and feeding them on a regular schedule.
Due to obesity
It is possible for Ball Pythons to stop growing due to obesity. If you feed your Ball Python too much, overfeeding can cause the Ball Python to die. Some of the symptoms of obesity in Ball Pythons are a large fatty bulge in their tail, they cannot stretch, etc.
I would suggest that you should feed your Ball Python in a scheduled way, not feed your Ball Python too often, and always follow the feeding schedule. If you feel that your Ball Python is suffering from obesity, then you should visit a vet as soon as possible.
If you don't know Ball Python feeding capability
If the owners of a Ball Python don't know their Ball Python's eating capabilities, then they may not be able to grow them properly. If both males and females get the same diet, then the females tend to have a slower growth rate because they are larger than the male Ball Python and require a lot more food than the male Ball Python.
It is important to know that female Ball Pythons have almost double the size of male Ball Pythons, so you must give your female Ball Pythons enough food to grow properly.
Incorrect enclosure size
If your Ball Python tank is too small, then it will make them uncomfortable and they will not be able to reach the maximum size, and they will also not be able to stretch out fully, which will cause them to stop growing as a result.
Providing the right tank for your Ball Python with adequate space for stretch out is important if you would like them to grow well. For baby and juvenile Ball Pythons, a tank of at least twenty gallons is the best size, while for adult Ball Pythons, a tank of at least forty gallons is ideal. This size of tank offers the proper amount of space that allows them to grow well.
When they are suffering from a disease
It is important to keep in mind that if your Ball Python is suffering from disease, illness or infection, then it will stop growing. These health issues affect your Ball Python's growth rate.
In the event that you notice any symptoms of illness or parasites in your Ball Python, then it may be necessary that you take it to your veterinarian for further examination.
Due to poor husbandry
Keeping a Ball Python in an environment that is too dirty or one that is overcrowded will result in your Ball Python's health being negatively affected and they will not grow as they should at all.
It is important that you keep your Ball Python tank clean all the time and make sure that it is not overcrowded. Make sure that you provide them with an appropriate temperature so that they digest well and grow well.
What is the size of a fully grown Ball Python, and how long does it take?
There is a difference in size between male and female Ball Pythons depending on their gender. Male Ball Pythons can grow up to a maximum height of 3 to 4 feet, whereas female Ball Pythons can grow up to a maximum height of 5 to 6 feet. Males reach full size in approximately two to three years, while females reach full size in approximately three to four years if they receive consistent care and food.
Can I weigh my Ball Python at home if yes, how?
Yes, you can weigh your Ball Python at home, as many Ball Python owners use kitchen scales that come with a bowl or tub for Ball Pythons. For weighing a baby Ball Python at home, you should use a bowl, and for weighing an adult Ball Python, use a plastic that is at least 12 inches tall. If you are interested in weighing a Ball Python at home, you can also use a digital scale, which can weigh up to 6000 grams easily.
To weigh your Ball Python safely at home, follow the steps listed below.
- To weigh your Ball Python, you should first purchase a kitchen scale or digital scale with at least a 12-inch plastic tub.
- Put your Ball Python in a tub safely and ensure it feels comfortable.
- Afterward, you should record your Ball Python's weight in a notebook. Ball Pythons' weight record allows you to determine their growth rate.
- When you have finished weighing your Ball Python, put it back in the tank safely.
How often should I weigh and measure my Ball Python?
You should weigh your Ball Python on a regular basis in order to keep track of their health. If your Ball Python has reached three to four years of age, then that means you should weigh it once every six months. You can also weigh your Ball Python once a month to keep track of their health.