Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Butters is my newest addition to my snakey family. Since I got him, he's had a few good meals, but he's still skinnier than I'd like. He's also quite the escape artist, and this morning I found him squeezing out the back of his tub. Since the tub he was in wasn't that escape proof to begin with, I decided to just get a new tub, and in the meantime I decided to put him in with Cindy, my big female, while I went to class and then to the store to grab the tub. I didn't want to put him in with Darwin, since I just got Dar eating again after a 4 month fast. Cindy's a fat garbage disposal anyway, and Butters hasn't refused a meal even when in the middle of a shed, so I figured I should be fine.

I left at 10, got back about an hour ago...and he's locked up with Cindy.

My question is: Has this kind of thing happened to anyone before? Will Cindy be alright? I thought she wouldn't let him hook up with her if she'd already laid her eggs for the season (Obviously I thought wrong). Is there a chance she can ovulate and lay another clutch? Should I worry about her having any issues?
Or am I just getting worked up over nothing?

Any insight would be great.

Butters shed a few days ago and I took some pics outside. He hasn't lost any of the coloring he had when I first got him - if anything, it's more pronounced. I think he's gorgeous, but we all know I'm kinda biased

In the last pic you can see where Butters scratched his head on the inside of the tub somewhere. Another reason I've gotten him a new one...

Anyway, thanks for any advice and any comments

~jenny
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"The python has, and I fib no fibs,
318 pairs of ribs.
In stating this I place reliance
On a seance with one who died for science
This figure is sworn to and attested,
He counted them while being digested."
~Ogden Nash

jenny.thegreenes.org

"If you're happy and you know it,
Bomb Iraq!
If you cannot find Osama,
Bomb Iraq!
If the terrorists are frisky,
Pakistan is looking shifty,
North Korea is too risky,
Bomb Iraq!

Not sure about your female,But I love the look of the male..Very nice looking..

Well that boy is not going anywhere now. You could leave that tub open and he wouldn't care. Thanks for sharing.
Claude

Haha, his escaping wasn't the biggest problem (once he gets out he gets lost and just sits in the middle of the floor. I watched him once. That was all he did. Just got out, and sat on the floor). I was more worried about my female getting preggo again after already laying a clutch this season.

They're still locked up, by the way.

~jenny
-----
"The python has, and I fib no fibs,
318 pairs of ribs.
In stating this I place reliance
On a seance with one who died for science
This figure is sworn to and attested,
He counted them while being digested."
~Ogden Nash

jenny.thegreenes.org

"If you're happy and you know it,
Bomb Iraq!
If you cannot find Osama,
Bomb Iraq!
If the terrorists are frisky,
Pakistan is looking shifty,
North Korea is too risky,
Bomb Iraq!

Who chewed on your female, a jackal?

When I was much younger I left a rat in overnight. Not an experience I'd ever like to repeat.
-----
"The python has, and I fib no fibs,
318 pairs of ribs.
In stating this I place reliance
On a seance with one who died for science
This figure is sworn to and attested,
He counted them while being digested."
~Ogden Nash

jenny.thegreenes.org

"If you're happy and you know it,
Bomb Iraq!
If you cannot find Osama,
Bomb Iraq!
If the terrorists are frisky,
Pakistan is looking shifty,
North Korea is too risky,
Bomb Iraq!

I assumed it happened prior to your ownership! That sucks! I did that once with a Brazilian, and I only left it in for about an hour! At least she pulled through! Mine didn't!

Nope, I've had that female since I was 5 years old. I was about 13 when I left the rat in overnight. My mom wouldn't take her to the vet, so she pulled through with just being kept clean and having neosporin put on it.
It was a truly awful experience and I've never forgotten it. Lesson LEARNED.

Cindy, obviously, is healthy and thriving now

~jenny
-----
"The python has, and I fib no fibs,
318 pairs of ribs.
In stating this I place reliance
On a seance with one who died for science
This figure is sworn to and attested,
He counted them while being digested."
~Ogden Nash

jenny.thegreenes.org

"If you're happy and you know it,
Bomb Iraq!
If you cannot find Osama,
Bomb Iraq!
If the terrorists are frisky,
Pakistan is looking shifty,
North Korea is too risky,
Bomb Iraq!

I have never heard of a ball python double clutching though I have heard of females who have already lain a clutch that season locking up with a male. As they can retain sperm for about a year, they may do it now just in case when she's ready next season no male is present.

I think it will be a good ideal to take some good pictures of the old rat bite injuries..great to have them ready to post to show to new people who come along wondering why its a bad ideal to feed live, especially leaving it unattended. Your learning experience can help others not repeat the same mistake.

I like the looks of both your ball pythons
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PHLdyPayne