Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had two female balls that I've witnessed copulate both over 8 times each with a male. I started breeding them in early December through March. Recently I put a male in with each of them and this time nothing...they wanted nothing to do with the male. But unfortunately I have not witnessed any follicular development and neither seems to be getting swollen or larger in the mid-section. One of the females has actually lost around 100g due to her not having eaten in a few months.

Just wondering if there is still a chance for the females to ovulate and become gravid? How long could it take before I see any thickness or swollen in size in either female?

Just curious...I'm hoping to get eggs from both and want to make sure that there still is a good chance.

Any help and advice is greatly appreciate!
Thanks

Michael
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Michael
KoenigsPythons

There is still a very good chance that your females will ovulate. Are they displaying any other signs? Laying inverted, laying in the cool side, wrapped around water bowl? Have you palpated and fely any follicles?

Geographic location could also determine if it is still early or not. Where are you located?

MJ
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I'm located in Tennessee. I felt for follicles but didn't feel any difference in either one. I'm hoping they will ovulate soon. Should I keep trying to introduce the males to the females or just let them be and see if they ovulate?
Any ideas or suggestions is greatly appreciated!
Thanks MJ...I'm greatful for your knowledge and wisdom!

Thanks
Michael
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Michael
KoenigsPythons

Michael,

Palpating can be tricky. I for one am not that good at it. However I am getting better at it. I have a tendency to read my snakes rather than base everything on folicle growth. Yes...if you don't have folicles you won't have eggs...but I can generally tell what a female is doing by her behavior.

This is what I look for.

Females that lay cold.
Females that are cold and stiff to the touch.
Females that lighten in color especially in the head.
Females that wrap themselves around water bowls for days or even months on end.
Females that lay inverted on a regular basis. (Males do this too sometimes and I know they are not going to be gravid).
Females that lump up.
Females that swell 2/3 of the way down their body.
And then hopefully the female will ovulate shortly thereafter.

Get to know your snakes. Look for suttle changes in behavior. Are they off food? Are they cranky?

Yep...this is a lot of fun! You never know what you will discover.

Hope this helps!

Good luck!

MJ
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i have a female that has been in my care for 7 months now she ate when i first got her but has been off feed sincemid to late oct. she did go through a small cooling period in dec. when i was making her a new cage, then i got her temps regulated back to normal. i have monitored her weight and she hasnt lost any. she is now sitting at 1995gms. last week she went into the opaque phase of shedding wihtout haven eaten for 7 months. she was constantly on the cool side of her cage and was always really hard to the touch. now as she is about to shed i have noticed that she is definately swelling a little. now here is my question. she has not been wiht a male while in my care. i do have a 500gm very healthy male pied. if i put them together right after she sheds is there a chance i could get eggs. or did she some how store sperm for this long a period of time form a breeding befor i got her.thanks for the info.

joe

MJ,

Is this swelling you are talking about the development of the follicles? I believe you answered my question about that a week or two ago. I have a female that I have noticed has swollen up slightly 2/3 down as if she had a big meal (but she hasn't). The swelling has lasted over 1 week. I am hoping that means good things are on the way.

Thanks,
Rob