Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Question 1. I have a female that laid for me last year, but this year she went off feed a little early. Maybe too early! She went off feed on Sept. 29th, and I didn't start cooling until Dec. 1st. She looked a little thin for 2200 grams, but I introduced a male anyway. She was 2500g last year when she went. She was bred several times throughout Dec and Jan. She started eating again 2 weeks ago like crazy. Is it still possible she could become gravid? I havent witnessed an ovulation yet.
Question 2. I have a female spider thats 800 grams that was an eating machine(until 3 weeks ago). She was not cooled so I don't understand why she has quit eating. She doesn't even seem interested at all. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

I do believe that when females reproductive organs are developed they do have natural instict to go off feed on there own. Not sure how accurate this is honestly, but i do know of plenty of balls that go off feed on there own. Without the cooling process at all.

Balls will go off-feed for no other reason than to piss you off.
Ok, thats probably not their reason, but that how I view it sometimes =P

When I used to keep them just as pets, they would quit at certain times of the year (usually late fall/early winter) without any cooling. They know more than we give them credit for

It's normal. Unless they do anything else abnormal, consider it a Royal being a Royal.

-John

Yes, for sure on question one...there is still a chance and something has triggered her to eat..possibly growing ovum!

The breeding initiated the process.

Question #2.

Welcome to the world of ball pythons....that is EXACTLY what many do....eat great and as they become sub adults they get picky. Just back off and leave her be. As spring comes she will turn back on

- Kevin
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I don't know about question #1 so go with Kevin on that one.

Question #2: Cooling and photo periods are important, but, I think a lot of people forget the simple barometric pressure and other seasonal, environmental changes. They aren't as obvious to us, but the snakes can tell when it's raining whether they are getting wet or not.
That, or they truly know how much it pisses us off.

Watch for the bulge and the shed.
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