Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm new to breeding ball pythons. My breeding cycle started the beginning of December. At that time, the only female that was up to weight was my 2300 gram normal. I've been cycling her with a couple of males and dropping my temps at night to about 80 degrees and bringing them up to about 90 durning the day since the beginning of December. About a week ago, my female mojave made weight at 1500 grams and I was wondering if its to late to start breeding her. And is I start breeding her at 1500 grams and she starts refusing food due to the breeding and her weight drops, will that be a problem?

Another question is when should I stop breeding and pairing? When should I start bringing my temps back to normal 90 degree temps and stop with the drop?

any help would be greatly appreciated.

you said your day time temp is 90 degrees is that ambiant temps that is a little high to be keeping a ball at normally my snakes are kept at 83 with a hot spot of about 87 during breeding temps at night are dropped to 73 about a ten degree drop and back to normal during day.

90 is fine if that's your hotshot just make sure they can thermoregulate.
as far as breeding you mojo girl goes, why not? Unless you have an ultrasound you can know where she is follicle wise unless you try. Palpating is a guessing game and the worst that can happen is she doesn't take.

Now as far as her size you are right if she goes off feed and loses weight it could be harmful to her health. On a good note most my females at 1500gr and are virgin usually continue eating and pack on additional weight while breeding.
hope this helps.
Peace J

ohhh i'm sorry. 90 is the hot spot temp. my ambient temp. is 81-82.

When should i stop dropping my temps and raise them back to normal?

I don't change tub temps. at all...I allow the season change to dictate the ambient temps. 80-82 in summer and 77-80 in winter. When the ambient drops below 80 I start breeding...I've experimented for several years and they do just fine without adjusting tub temps.
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Dale....dgoins222@yahoo.com
www.LibertyReptiles.com

so you keep the hot spot temp the same throughout the year? even through breeding?

Yep...they use the cool end before and up to OV usually. Keep in mind they're from Africa and wouldn't get a lot of natural cooling in the wild.
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Dale....dgoins222@yahoo.com
www.LibertyReptiles.com

I too dont change my temps for breeding, I'm still somewhat new to breeding but I got a clutch last year and all my pairs are doing great this year. But I also live in michigan so our winters get cold enough to adjust the ambient temperature and with that drop the hot spot.
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0.3 double het pied/carmel 1.3.2 normals, 1.3.1 pastels, 0.1 mojave, 0.1 pinstripe, 0.1 albino, 1.0 yellow belly, 1.1 het pied, 1.0 amelanistic corn, 0.1 normal corn, 2.1 miniture dachshunds, 0.1 beautiful fiance
*snakes are like oreos, no one can just have one!*

In Northern CA at least, seems like its more about fronts than temps. Started pairing this year with the first rain. Have two clutches on the ground already.

thanks for the helpful info., guys.