Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've got a few questions I need answered about a newly acquired ball python I got 2 weeks ago.

I'm planning to try my first breeding attempt of my male normal to a new adult female normal I got, as stated, two weeks ago.

First, the female I got is just over 1700 grams. I'm pretty sure that's breeding size, but should I still try to beef her up before attempting to breed her to my male? She has bred with the previous owner. My male is 1158 grams, last measured, should I beef him up too? He's never been bred before

Also, the new female is currently shedding, and since I don't usually catch my other snake shedding, I have a few questions. Her belly is pinkish and her eyes glazed over about 4 days ago. Humidity has been right around 70% and heat around 85. But today, her eyes went back to almost normal and her belly is normal again, but there's no shed in sight. Does this mean shed is imminent or is something wrong?

My final question is about quarantine. After I did an inspection of her, she didn't have apparent mites or ticks, and has no sign of diseases so far. It's been two weeks (exactly today), do you think it should be fine to house her in the same room as my other Ball and my Spotted after she's sheds? Or should I still wait the recommended month?

Thanks for the answers ahead of time!!

They are both big enough to breed. If possible wait the month its worth it. She should shed soon it is normal for the eyes to go clear before they shed. If you are going to wait the month anyway you may want to cool her and him just give them water and dont feed them if you are going to cool them and make sure they dont have anything in them food wise.

Ok. I wasn't too worried about the shedding, but I did want to know if they're at breeding size. I'm not going to be breeding them until probably around August or September, so I'm not going to be cooling them for a while.

Thank you!

for 30 days, you might as well just toss her in with the rest of your collection now.
Suggested quarantine is minimum 90 days.
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www.strictlyballs.ca

Oh okay, I thought I'd read one month, but I looked back in the book and it said 60-90. I think I'm going to go with 60 because she is on a completely different floor of my house. Thanks for the heads up though!