I was not aware that multi-generational captive bred blackheads produced clutches of that size with that frequency, but it does make sense that they would. I don't have much captive data, as most of mine comes from numerous field studies over the years, mainly from studies conducted by Shine and Charles. It was extremely rare for even a large wild female to lay a clutch of 15 or more. Wild caught females also fed well until ovulation and then quit feeding. This is not totally surprising either, as CB females of a few select species will continue to feed well into egg maturation probably due to conditioning to F/T prey.

The ova mass in this case appeared to me to be posterior of the ovaries and would seem to be post-ovulation. This is why I would have expected her to be showing inversions by this point. Definitely agree in that I don't believe I have ever seen an inversion in a python that was pre-ovulation. Thanks again for your information,

Kelly

[ Show Entire Thread ]