Reptile & Amphibian Forums

is 500 g female 0 het for albino and 280g male good for $1000? this is a 1.1 100 het albinos, what is breeding weight for males and females and will this pair be ready next year? I see alot of pairs going for around $900 I have boas so I cant pic size when I see grams(weight)but im thinking these might be much larger than babies?

Usually I got with males AT LEAST 600-800 grams and females 1500 grams to breed. Usually if you are feeding well they can gain about 150-200 grams a month...so if you figure it you may be able to see if they can breed next year. They sound like 03's so the female MAY not be ready but the male definitly will.

Personally, I think you are at least two years away based on those weights. But, age also plays a key role. I don't breed my females until they are at least 2000 grams and only breed them every 2-3 years to keep them in optimal condition. There seems to be a magic number of 1500 grams floating around that people use but I think that is too light. Unfortunately, today's "morph" ball python craze has resulted in many newbie breeders trying to jump the gun and produce animals more quickly at the cost of the long term health of the female. I would hold off until your female puts more growth on (males are not as much of a concern; if they are old enough, usually at age 3-4, then they are ready to go irregardless of size). Good luck. Rob

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation (IL)

Rob,

I agree. I think 1500 grams is more of a guideline or starting point. Other factors to consider, and probably just as important, are fat reserves and weight to length. I have several females that are in the 3000 gram area but for their length, they would be considered on the slim side. Also, these snakes know when they can produce and what they can produce. That's one of the reasons you have different sized clutches.

Last year I had one female that laid 7 good eggs. She weighed around 2500 grams and was very short for her weight. This year she was bred but produced nothing. Hence, her body knew (IMHO).

My first clutch of this year produced 10 100 gram eggs from a female that has been over 2000 grams for the last 5 years. She was bred every year. This is her first clutch!

What am I getting at? Just remember, there are not "hard and fast" rules, there are only guidelines.
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Jay A. Martin

Don't expect the female to produce anything next year. Also, I wouldn't expect the male to be ready for next season either... however, I'd put the odds higher for the male being ready vs. the female.

Many will likely disagree with the following...

Based upon my limited experience and extensive research, I believe that one should reasonably expect only approximately one half of all female ball pythons raised under optimal conditions to successfully produce before 3 years of age.

Females should (ideally) be at least 1500 grams before the start of winter cycling. This generally applies only for first time females. 2000 grams is better. A 3.5 year old female is more likely to produce than a 2.5 year old female of similar size.

Males (ideally) should be at least 800 grams. Larger and older males generally make better breeders.

There are exceptions, but these are reasonable expectations in my opinion.