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Well, on Friday afternoon one of my het albino females gave birth. She had 30 good babies. There was 18 normals, 11 albinos, and 1 SUNGLOW.

Sound strange?

Where did the Sunglow come from?

The father of this litter is an Albino Boa, and the mother is a Het Albino. Last year I gave her the year off so she was not even near a male last year. Now, two years ago I bred her to a Double Het Sunglow and she produced Sunglows, Albinos, Hypos, and Normals in that litter.

Is it possible that she retained some sperm for two years from the Double Het Sunglow?

If she did retain sperm from the double Het Sunglow, what do I sell the normal boas from this litter as, Het Albinos, or possible Het Albinos?

There were no Hypos in the litter, just one Sunglow. So how can that be?

Has anyone else had this happen?

How long can can a female retain sperm?

Any input would be greatly appreaciated. I would also like to thank everyone for reading this, and to those of you who responded.

Thank you, Brian

Retained sperm is the answer. This has happened before and yes, all the normals are possible hets. This would essentially be the case even if you didn't get that one Sunglow. I never sell hets from a female that was bred by an Albino unless the only male that was ever put in with that female was Albino. It's the ONLY way to be sure. Given the numbers within that litter, it is unlikely that many of the normals are from the previous breeding, but you can't know for sure.

I had a female give birth to a perfectly good litter one season and the next I did not try to breed her. She was too skinny to try. Still she ovulated and had another litter. It happens.
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Jeff Ronne Sr
The Boaphile
Director USARK

Originator of Boaphile Plastics
The Boaphile Boa Site

Thanks, Jeff
I figured it was retained sperm, there really is no other explanation for it. I knew they could retain for one year, but this was two years. How long can a female retain sperm? Does anyone know that answer? I don't know if I should be happy or sad that there was a Sunglow in the litter. Any way it's all fun. Thanks, Brian

but I know a guy who's female Ball Python laid good eggs three years in a row off breeding the first year only. Crazy huh!?
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Jeff Ronne Sr
The Boaphile
Director USARK

Originator of Boaphile Plastics
The Boaphile Boa Site

It's amazing that they can retain it for that length of time. I will be giving this female the year off coming up. I don't know what I will breed her to in the next breeding, probably an Albino or even a Sunglow. Who knows, it's all fun. Thanks, Brian