Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I brought a female ball 2 months ago. She is about 1 and a half pounds. When I got her she was in her shed process and had a full shed the next day. I placed her with the male and within 2 hours I notice them copulating. I notice them on 3 different occasions. She hasn't eaten yet, but I noticed that she is like "swollen" I thought that it would go down, but it has not. She has been swollen for about 5 weeks now. She went into another shed 4 days ago, and she shed with no problems. I dont know if she is gravid or not, but when I touch her it feels real soft and I dont know what to feel for. Do it sound like she is gravid? should I take her to the vet? and if she is gravid do you have any tips?

One and a half pounds is no-where near large enough to breed a female! The minimum weight for a female to be bred is 1,500 grammes, which is roughly 3lb 5 ounces! The likelyhood of a female of that size producing eggs is extremely unlikely. Wait until she weighs at least 3 lbs before attempting to breed her again.

I must have missed the memo. I heard 1200 grams was ok. Done it and had fertile eggs too with several females.
I think it is a "rule of thumb" to what size an animal must be. A ball python like human varies in many ways in the reproduction process. I believe the act of breeding may take place .... but if the male/female are not sexually mature they will not reproduce. Just like any other species.
I bet you that a girl that is "fat" or heavier for their age may not be capable of producing offspring. I do think that most my python girls @ 1200 grams started to eat like pigs when they started breeding. Perhaps they gained their weight up to 1500 grams. I had a few that would come out of the cage for a food response.
And yes some of my 1200 gram ball pythons did not have eggs. I believe it due to sexual maturity not weight. Or perhaps she did not like her boyfriend. Hey, I don't know I never dated a ball python. LOL
Just my humble opinion.
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RicK @ BbI

Ball Boutique,Inc.
The home of the singing snakes!

Read the first post again RicK - this time with your glasses on! Lateron stated - and I quote "I brought a female ball 2 months ago. She is about 1 and a half pounds"
One and a half pounds is less than 600 grammes - not 1200 grammes!!
Eric

I did not post to that post. I was posting to your post of 1500.
I say 1200. We both agree on 600.
I know 600 is small. Even for most males.
Reread what I said. I know I am a bit older but you missed my point. And I can see real good now with my new monitor. Will get eyes checked soon.
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RicK @ BbI

Ball Boutique,Inc.
The home of the singing snakes!

okay...
now my female seems to be doing the same as lateron's. only my girl is weighing at 1800 grams.

Simple, copulation does not mean fertilization.
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RicK @ BbI

Ball Boutique,Inc.
The home of the singing snakes!

I AM SORRY IT WAS A TYPING ERROR SHE IS ABOUT 4 AND A HALF POUNDS.

p.s I used the number keys on the right side of my keyboard.sorry

let me know what you find out because i have a female here that's doing the same thing. but she's in middle of a shed cycle right now, only thing is that she hasn't swollen up like other's i've seen. she's just getting overall thick and very soft on her underbelly.
red