Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is a safe breedable weight for female Ball Pythons?

Thanx

Kevin

The magical number for most is 1500 grams but I've got good eggs from an 1100-1200 gram girl with no issues and I know people have and do go smaller as well. I'd shoot for 1200 as long as they aren't skinny....and that goes for 1500 gram girls as well...you don't want them skinny.

IMO 1500 grams
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Thanks
Chad Ramsey

Ya 1500 is about right , BUT one that's 1500 but long and not heavy bodied yet I would wait on till she gets some more meals in her, weight isn't everything, it also has to do with the girth of the females mid body region too. 4ft females with girth no bigger around than the cardboard on a paper towel roll WILL not lay and if they do it likely would be just a few below average sized eggs or more often slugs, just takes to much out of them as it becomes a self preservation issue with her at that point. A female thats between the size of a full sized orange and small/medium grapefruit in the mid body area will on the other hand likely lay regardless of her length, as she would have the girth to carry good eggs. A digital scale isn't everything. I bred balls for 3 or 4 years before I bought one.

Anthony McCain

Thank you all for the great info. I do have some thick females so I will try them this year.

Kevin