I have been trying to prove out a 100% het albino Ball Python for about the last 7 years. During this time she has frustrated me beyond belief. I picked her up as a 1600 gram proven female 100% het albino. You can imagine what I paid back then for her - ouch!
Where do I start? Well for starters, she arrived 300 grams under the stated weight. Not really a big deal I guess but still irks me. Then she refused to feed for over 6 months and when she started to feed, it was on a small rat once a month.
For 4 or so years, she was bred to my albino and did not produce a single egg. I started to question my sexing ability and had a friend come over and double-check (thanks Rob!).
Finally, two years ago, she lays 9 eggs. All seemed fine, although, weak veining. 8 died: the first in two weeks and the others at about 7 days apart all the way until one egg left. HE hatched, and not only was HE a male, HE was NOT albino. Sick to my stomach. Although, at least I know for sure my female is a female - really doubting with no eggs in 4 years.
Bred her last year and no eggs. Why you little *%#*!
This season, she laid 5 healthy eggs. One starts going bad 2 weeks before hatch date. Two others, 5 days before hatching start looking rough. You have got to be friggin kidding!
The 2nd worst egg hatches. It's a normal looking 100% het albino. I cut open the dead egg. Pink eyes. Did I finally prove out this het? I cannot be sure since this one did not go full-term.
I cut open the 3rd bad looking egg. Full-term dead normal looking 100% het albino. Would someone just kick me in the crotch already!!
The last two eggs look full and healthy, slight dimpling. But they are on day 61 with no signs of pipping. Given the frustrations this female has given me, I decided to cut the egg.
Eureka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A live albino!
I'm not going to get too excited, but at least I finally know. If it comes out alive, I'll post pictures of the most expensive albino I have ever produced.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles
