Many large species of boas and pythons can be "powerfed" (fed numerous large meals) so that they grow and mature at a much faster rate than they normally would. A Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) can grow to over 10 feet within the first year of its life. Often this is done so that these snakes can be bred at an early age, since sexual maturity in reptiles is usually more a matter of size than age. However, these powerfed snakes often do not make the most prolific captive breeders and experience health problems. Feeding less often and allowing snakes to grow more slowly is the more natural way to keep these creatures.