Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I apologize for my stupidity on this one! My female has been swollen for about a week. I have read that they swell up when building follicles before ovulation, but I don't know what to look for because this is my first attempt breeding ball pythons. She shed 3/10, but she wasn't swollen at that time. My question is...do you think she is building follicles or currently ovulating? Thanks in advance!

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4.11 Normal ball pythons
1.0 Pastel ball python
1.0 Plains Garter
0.1 Rosy boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan Sand Boa
1.0 Anery Kenyan Sand Boa
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
1.1 Dumeril's Boa
-----My list is too long, so I'll stop here!
*Amy*

I would say ovulating but I'm no expert. If she sheds in a couple weeks then it was ovulation
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Nita Hamilton
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Ball Pythons
ballpythonworld.com

Hi

It looks like she is at the beginning or tail end of the ovulation swelling. Since you stated that she has been swollen for about a week, she is probably at the end. The ovulation swelling or "lump" is most pronounced when the follicles are pushed back from the tail area into the mid-body of the snake. This is the time when this event is most easily recognized, and usually lasts about a day. I wouldn't be surprised if that swelling continues to spread out toward the tail. Also, when gravid, my snakes don't sit in tight coils with sharp angles, they seem to be most comfortable in relatively loose circular coils. Here is a girl that I caught in mid-swelling last week. Good luck.

Will