Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was raised around reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids my whole life. After I got married I have had only a few different exotic pets. I have decided to get a few BP morphs and breed them. I recently purchased my first BP morph, a male pastel. He is an '09 and I am going to get 2 pastel females. If I get '09 females could I breed them this year or is 2011 when I should start? Also, if I get '10 females would they be ready by 2011 or would that make it 2012? I have read about breeding and one site said that males could breed as early as 6 month (rare) and females about 1 year to 18 months.

If you get 09's I would say 2011 would be the earliest you could expect to breed. It could be much later. Males are more reliable as far as predicting their breeding age. They are generally old enough in their second winter. Each female is different. They need to be 1500g (general rule of thumb -- some breeders wait longer and some don't wait as long) and sometimes they go on a fast before they reach that size. I recommend getting as many females as you can to increase you're odds of one or more of your females being ready to go as soon as possible.
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Scott Hager
Red Barn Reptiles

LOL! Thanks for the advice Scott. I guess I could have texted you or emailed you about it. This is Stephen that bought the 09 pastel male from you last week.

I recommend all of these before you start to breed:

The Complete Ball Python: A Comprehensive Guide to Care, Breeding and Genetic Mutations by Kevin McCurley
www.newenglandreptile.com/

Pythons of the World, Vol 2 by David G. Barker & Tracy M. Barker
www.vpi.com/pythons_of_the_world_vol_2_0

Care sheets:
www.newenglandreptile.com/CareBall.html
www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide/
www.vpi.com/publications/the_ball_python_care_sheet
www.anapsid.org/ball.html
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Lincoln, NE
0.1 Pastel, 1.0 Pastel het Pied, 0.1 Pied, 0.1 Cinn, 1.0 Black Pewter, 1.0 Woma (hidden gene?), 0.1 Yellowbelly
2.0 Normals, 1.0 Thayeri, 0.1 Thayeri X Alterna, 0.1 crazy cat, 1.0 husband

I have 08 females and non of them are near breeding weight yet. They should be in about 6 months and they are good eaters......hopefully they stay that way.