Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ALSO how many days after the post shed until you get eggs?

Thanks!!!

Mike
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Mike and Eric
Captive Bred Reptiles

Mine seem to shed when their follicles get large, then within a month they ovulate, then shed again. 60 days or so from ovulation to laying.

Christy

My female has been with my male since Oct. 28 and this is her first shed since....so this is her PRE ovulation shed and a month after she sheds she will ovulate and 60 days after that she will lay her eggs?

Sorry just got a little confused.....Thanks!!!!
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Mike and Eric
Captive Bred Reptiles

I agree with Christy, that my females also tend to shed while growing follicles. However, if you do not feel follicles, it could be just a shed cycle. I have had pythons breed for three months, and the female doesn't lay eggs. The best thing to do is follow the instructions at Ralph Davis' site on how to palpate for follicles.

http://www.ralphdavisreptiles.com/matrix/ralphs_words/palpating.asp

Now remember to do this when the female is "empty" as far as food goes, or it can be a little tricky.

Once you know follicles are growing, you can watch more closely for ovulation, once this occurs you will get the pre-lay shed, and about 30 days later she will lay some eggs!

Jason
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I read Ralph's info on palpating and breeding recipe, but am uncertain when fertilization occurs. I'm asking because I started my big normal female with a young het albino, and just got a young het piebald I'm going to switch to (both males just under 800g). I'll try palpating when she comes out tonight. Just want to know if I feel follicles, is it too late for the Het Pied?
Thanks in advance.
Paul

I believe that fertilization actually occurs around ovulation, but this does not mean the male who bred closest to ovulation will be the father. Female snakes can store the sperm until it is needed, so it would be possible for either, or both of the males to be the father of the babies. It has been documented on several occassions of more than one male, fathering a clutch of babies. I would just stick with the Het Albino male, so you know for sure what the babies are possible het for.
Jason
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In the past I've only seen this female start copulating in mid-January and ovulate in early May (we cool down a little later here in AZ). I was just trying to get the het albino male "experienced" for some 50%het females coming of age next season. I was going to sell off the offspring as normals. I have not observed copulation yet. The het pied has an awesome "het pied belly" that I'll look for in any offspring if she produces for me this year. If I observe copulation with the het pied, I'll still assume he's the sire. Any offspring sold will still be sold as normals. I'll probably keep all the females regardless. Thank you for your reply. I'll try palpating tonight.
Paul

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“I have had pythons breed for three months, and the female doesn't lay eggs.”

Then it probably couldn’t be termed “breeding.” As stilted as it may sound on a hobbyist board, the term “copulation” is really the more accurate description (just as every act of human intercourse isn’t breeding, i.e., doesn’t result in a fertilized egg).

I even go further in the notes I make on individual record cards. Unless I can actually see intromission, I call it "apparent copulation". Sometimes his tail looks like it's in the right place, when it's really just an earnest but non-productive effort on his part.

-Joan

I agree it could just be "apparent copulation", however, I believe the female can actually have sperm in her, and still decide not to develope follicles and produce eggs. I think it is completely up to her body. This is just a theory and I have no proof of this, but I have seen animals copulate like crazy and never produce a thing, and this is with one STUD of a male!!
Just an idea.
Jason
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