Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a pair of 100% het albino balls , not sure of the wieght. but I have seen people with smaller one that have breed. they have both been eating well so I put them together today for the first time and the male looked as if he were trying to breed and a few hours latter they were locked up ! so now what? does this mean she is ready or will they just do it. I have been breeding colubrids for sevaral years but this is my first time with balls. will it be the same as my other snakes and her next shed could be her pre egg laying shed? what should I do different with these snake . or will it be the same? any info would be great . thanks.

JIM

How old are your animals? The size is of some importance. I prefer to attempt breeding my females at 1400 grams or so. The males can be quite a bit smaller, around 600 grams or so. Just because they breed does not mean that she will produce for you. Try to figure out her weight first off. Then attempt to learn to palpate your females. This is done with the fore finger and index finger on the belly and your thumb on the back. With a good amount of pressure slide your hand down the animal and if she has folicles you will feel little lumps, which you will be able to count. Folicles smaller than 15 millimeters will be somewhat more difficult to detect. When they are over 20 to 25 mils or quarter size you will definately feel them. If you have bred your female during these stages of folicle growth, you will more than likely end up with a gravid snake. It appears that when their folicles are around 35 to 40 mils in size and they have been bred several times to a male they will release their folicles into the oviduct (Ovulation) and at this time you can almost guarantee you will have eggs in 50 to 60 days. Around 22 to 26 days after ovulation she will shed and after she sheds she will lay her eggs around 24 to 30 days on average. Good luck!!

Jack