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0.1 984 grams breed???

snakeball Mar 29, 2006 08:37 AM

I have a 984 gram female het albino and a male albino. Can she be ready to go this season if she puts on good weight? I only feed 1 small rat a week and she is presently going into her 4th month of fasting. Hopegully she will start eating soon. Thoughts?

Replies (7)

corran Mar 29, 2006 09:07 AM

984 grams is only a little over 2 pounds. From what ive hear of any know breeder, average weight for breeding a female ball would be about 2400 grams.

toshamc Mar 29, 2006 09:19 AM

If you mean stuff her so she reaches the 1200 gram mark in the next month or two so you can possibly get a couple of albinos out of the 05/06 season - then probably not. If you mean will she weigh enough to cool and breed next season (06/07) then she looks like she is right on track for a nice healthy weight!
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Tosha

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snakefreek Mar 29, 2006 09:46 AM

1200-1500grams is the norm for breeding females, I don't try any sooner than that for the reason of harming the female and/or future clutches. I have a few females that are in the 1300gram area that I decided to breed this year and they are holding eggs. Thanks Erick
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JP Mar 29, 2006 10:02 AM

It really depends on the individual. I've never bred any females less than about 2000 grams until this year. Last year, I did not breed a female that was over 2500 grams, because she was too thin for her size. This year, I bred a female that was only 1300 grams or so. She was of very nice weight for her length, super healthy, and should lay a nice clutch for me in a couple of weeks. It all depends on the individual, IMO. I look at age, weight, length, and overall appearance.

JP Mar 29, 2006 09:50 AM

Assuming she ends her fast, you ought to be fine. I've found once they hit the 1000 gram range, they put on weight fast. She's nearly there now. Get her feeding, then one appropriate sized rat per week and she should be 1600 to 1800 (or more) grams by November. Cycle and breed and have eggs on the ground this time next year.

While BPs CAN breed at any time during the year, I consider the primary breeding season to be mid to late winter here in the US. Thinking about your post, I immediately assumed by "this season" you meant the upcomming season. In my mind, the breeding season is over, and we are now in laying/hatching season. I would not try to get babies out of your female before next spring.

snakeball Mar 29, 2006 01:36 PM

Thanks for your response, I may not have made it clear but I did mean next season, so it sounds like I could have some eggs this time next year. I will try to get her back on schedule and feeding. I never feed my snakes more than 1 small rat a week, no matter how big they are and they grow just fine. I personally do not believe in power feeding. Thanks again for the feedback.

EmberBall Mar 29, 2006 03:24 PM

In captivity, Balls usually go on a fast at least one time per year, sometimes more. In the wild, I am sure there are plentiful times and lean times. With this said, I think the individual Ball knows how much to eat, and when. What if Balls eat several baby rodents in the wild, and maybe even the female adult rodent? Your one rat a week might not be enough to get her through the times she is on fast. At least every other feeding, I would try to offer a second rat and see what happens, and go from there. Two rats does not constitute power feeding.

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