I am attempting my first Ball Python Breeding and have a question? I have cycled my BP's back to summer, Of course most of them are going into shed now including the female that has been locked up all winter with her John. Do females if they are pregnant go into shed prior to ovulation as they are cycling back to dry season temps.
I am also going to put the male with her again as I think post cycling sheds also stimulate breeding.
Just wondering if she was already with child if she would be going into shed.
Anyone? Beuler? 
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Got a breeding question?
sroberts
Mar 12, 2004 11:13 AM
Replies (1)
karm
Mar 12, 2004 01:16 PM
"Do females if they are pregnant go into shed prior to ovulation as they are cycling back to dry season temps."
--I don't know. Perhaps one of the more experienced breeders could tackle this one.
"I am also going to put the male with her again as I think post cycling sheds also stimulate breeding."
--YES. Good idea. The Barker's recommended to me to continue breeding trials after each shed cycle of the female (JIC). This would not be necessary of course if you KNOW she has ovulated. However, I have one female who "ovulated". I got pics of this "ovulation" and even sent them to two prominant ball pythons breeders who told that it's definately ovulation, one even writing "I can't believe that snake's NOT going to lay eggs... that looks like full blown ovulation to me". The female even shed her skin 3 weeks later like she should have if it was ovulation, and began keeping high body temperature after "ovulating" (as she should if it was ovulation). However, it's been 2 months. She is currently breeding (and eating) up a storm. I continued breeding trials throughout, but she's not been terribly interested until recently... it wasn't ovulation... but she swelled up enough to fool me and even some of the more experienced.
MORAL: Continue breeding trials JIC (as the Barkers recommend)
"Just wondering if she was already with child if she would be going into shed."
--As far as I know, one can only expect a single shed cycle to occur between ovulation and egg deposition. So, yes, there should be one shed while she's actually gravid (however, heed the discussion above - JIC)
