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Guys I'm getting used to the fasting in my ball pythons, it has taken about 3-years and everone telling me atleast 10 times that I have to put up with it and relax..

Well my male albino hasn't eaten in 2 months, he is looking a little skinny, but around 900 grams he is not a bad size for his age (a 2002 snake).

I am dying to put him with one of my female HETS, she is a 2001 VPI HET albino, 1725 grams.. I did actually put them together, and left them together for 5 days, today I checked on them and noticed he was in a shed.

I moved him back to his cage.. Any tips advice would be great, I have never bred snakes before so I am so excited about maybe getting my first clutch next year.

PS How many eggs do you think I could get from a 1725g 2001 female? She has nice body weight, not skinny and long like one of my other HETS..

Sounds like your male is more than ready to go!! Not sure if your female will receive, but I bet your male will deliver...lol, I've had males under 600 grams go w/ no problem, and heard of males producing sperm at 400 grams in some instances!! As far as clutch size goes on your 1700 gram female...it's hard to say. I've had 2500 gram females drop 3-5 eggs, had a 1500 gram female drop 7 or more, so I'd hate to guess, but I'd say she'd do well for you number wise if she's nice & THICK!! Best of luck!!!
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Hi Damon,

Well it's getting closer to the moment of truth. The breeding season.

If I recall correctly the male is a 2002 albino you picked up from Greg Graziani. IMO he is prime to go. At this age size doesn't really matter as much. I had a 520 gram male that was only 8 months old father a perfect clutch this past season. What you have to do now is get them in the mood. It isn't as simple as deciding when your ready. They have to be ready.

The breeding season usually begins with a drop in temperature. Night temps can go down to the low 70's and day temps in the low 80's. I only leave my heat on in my basking area during the day at 90 F. I shut it off completely at night. Do this for about 2 weeks to a month before introducing your male. The cold triggers sperm production and a restless feeling in the male. You can check for sperm plugs but I would almost guarantee that he already has them.

One month after your initial drop in temps, go ahead and introduce your pairs. Be patient! You can check them but give them some time alone.

Continue this until the end of March. Give you male a breather of 5 days between breedings if breeding multiple females. Take lots of notes and don't worry if he is not fat. Skinny males tend to be better breeders. Less lazy.

Good luck and hopefully next summer you'll hatch out some fine albinos!

MJ

I have read everything I can find about breeding BP's, but no one ever mentions when they turn the heat back on 24 hrs a day after the cooling period. Do you wait until after they loose interest in each other, or after the female ovulates, or when?
Thanks!
RP
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"I am a cop, and you will respect my authoritae!"-Cartman

I have a set breeding season. It is completely manipulated by the conditions in my room. Temps and lights.

On Oct 1st I will start my cool down. I am somewhat afforded this opportunity due to the climate in my location, Central Ontario, Canada.

This cool down period lasts until the end of Feb. when I start to gradually start raising the temps in the room. They are at full temps 24/7 by the end of March regardless whether females ovulate or not. I keep breeding until the end of May and then that's it. All my eggs are laid between March and June. A nice neat and tidy season.

Hope this helps.

MJ

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"I am a cop, and you will respect my authoritae!"-Cartman

If she where to lay today I bet her clutch would weigh about 575 grams. In my limited experience and from the clutches of others that I've heard weights on this year it looks like female ball pythons lay very close to 1/3 of their pre-lay weight in eggs. So, how many eggs you get then depends on how big of eggs she lays. If she has the genes for 80 gram eggs she might lay as many as 7. If she lays 115 gram eggs she might only lay 5. The size of the eggs seems to vary much more than the % of mother's weight going into the clutch.