Reptile & Amphibian Forums

how long after copulation do ball pythons lay eggs. mine have been at it for about two months

np
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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

LOl. I started cycling mid-November and I have a couple that only now seem like they are going to go for me... One of these I have been trying to get to lay eggs for the past four years and FINALLY it appears she is cooperating.

You are just going to have to get used to it.

There is no connection between when they breed and when they lay eggs. Some breed and never lay eggs. Most females should be developing follicles right now. The odd female (for me anyways) would be building up for ovulation this "early". Most will have ovulated for me by the end of May. Well, atleast the ones that decided to produce eggs for me anyways.

Corey

Consider breeding "Phase 2" pf your ball python patience test. By the time you raise them to breeding size you should have already passed "Phase 1" which is your first seasonal fast and/or picky eater.

Getting them to eat is one thing, because you know (somewhere deep inside) you just KNOW they won't starve themselves. However, getting them to successfully breed can (and eventually will) test your patience to the limit. Every now and then you end up with the one female who is determined to be an old maid or the one male who decides to swear off women. The only thing worse is when you accidentally pair the old maid and eunuch together.

As long as everyone is healthy and mature enough to breed you still have time. Look through the 2007 archives and you'll notice that for some odd reason people all over the place were having females lay their clutches uncommonly late. It happens, don't sweat it - just like their feeding behavior - the female will be gravid or lay eggs about 5 minutes before you decide to give up.

I have one female that I witnessed at least 5 copulations with last year that never laid. One female I only witnessed 2 copulations who was a year younger and she gave me 4 good eggs. Keep reintroducing the male until you see eggs!