Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a pair of bp's. I was checking on my snakes and I noticed my female was curled in a semi cirle with the last thrid of her body turned up side down. that was a coupl of days ago and shes been normal since and she is still eating great should I be concerned or is this normal.

Jake

not the last third,it was three quarters turned exept her head

It's a sign of being gravid. Congrats, you're gonna be a grandparent.

That's a good sign that you have a gravid ball python on your hands.
Justin J

That would be awesome if she’s gravid. How long is she through the process of being gravid when they do that? Also I have had her for a year and a half, and the only time that she was with a male was for half an hour once when I had to deep clean both there cages. I did see them lock up but it was no longer then 20 minutes or so. Is that enough to do it? she was with my male het for albino, she’s a normal wc I think but not sure, I know they would only produce 50% hets but I thought it would be a fun project. I hope she’s gravid, but I wasn’t planning on breeding her till next year(I wanted her a little bigger). Any suggestions, she seems like she’s always in feed mode the last couple weeks she I feed her more? Thanks

Jake

Hi there,

I doubt your female is gravid (meaning she has ovulated and is developing eggs) as eating well would not be consistant with that at all. Gravid snakes usually have no appetite and look like they feel "yucky".

However, she may be gearing up (developing follicles). Alot of girls eat really heavy right at the beginning of breeding time. Girls sometimes lay inverted or sideways when developing follicles too. Is she laying mostly on the warm or cold side of her home?

Another possibility (though not as exciting) is that she was laying inverted because of all the food she is eating. Balls will invert sometimes after big meals, both males and females.

I hope you are on your way to babies! Time will tell!

Christy

She has been staying on the warm side. should I put her back with the male?

Jake

I would put her in with the male for 3-4 days per week till the end of March. Good luck!

I second Christy's advice... always continue breeding trials periodically if you're not certain the female is gravid (if ovulation is not observed). Better safe than sorry.

Thanks for the replies. I will keep introducing the male until late march, the down side is that I leave for the Air Force march 23rd, so if she’s gravid I will miss out on the laying and the birth of her offspring. Lucky for me an old employee and good friend of mine will be caring for my snakes while I am away, and for free, he also has years of experience and 40 snakes. He will have an extra surprise with a gravid ball (maybe), and gravid rainbow boa, and possibly a gravid gopher…to bad he gets all the fun. Thanks again for the replies.

Jake

It is possible for a gravid snake to continue eating, but she may be cycling as was mentioned above. Good luck regardless.
Justin J