Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Why won't ball pythons breed if they are keep in the same tank? Currently I have three (one male and two females, I think). They are all in that same tank and I have seen them attempting to mate. So why will they not reproduce if they are in that same tank? It doesen't make any sence to me.

~Candace

I am not a pro but am breeding successfully for the first time this year and have done a lot of research and heard a lot of things. Not sure where you got your info but here is what I have been told. Again, I am not a pro so take it with a grain of salt.
-Houseing BP together all year is not recommended. They are solitary animals. (Thisone is a fact)
-If you are just putting them together for the breeding season, I think it is fine as long as you have seperate hide boxes on each side of enclosure. Warm and cool side. Read this somewhere.
Hoe old are your BP. How do you know you have 2.1? You may not. Are you cooling down your snakes? You need to simulate the season change. Hope this helps.

-Bill

Quick note: Speaking with a very reputable breeder about some false information that was given to me.
HE said: "The problem with many of the folks on Kingsnake is that the least experienced are usually the most eager to give their advice." just be careful.

-Bill

I think the important thing in trying to get them to breed is knowing postitively that you have both sexes. If yours are about the same sizes check the tail lengths and size of the spurs. The males will have a bit longer tail and larger spurs. The cooling down period is also very important. I have 1.1 normals that have lived together for 13 years now, and have never had a problem with them hookin' up as long as I cool them down first. Simply turning off the overhead heat source for a couple weeks will usually be enough to get him started. I have also always gone with the normal breeding season, which is almost over now, but I've heard they can be bred at any time of year as long as they are given the cooling down period. BTW, my female's lookin' a little chubby, hopin' for a batch this year.

Amazon and Shadow are about the same length, 4' except that Shadow is about 4 and a half years old and Amazon is one year old. (and very chubby). Those are the two that I think are females because they are so big, I will try to get pics of them and their tails so you can attempt to help me identify them. And Ivory is about 3' but is that same age as Shadow. I bought those two together. I introduced Amazon and they all got a long fine. They lay together most of the time but the tank is large enough that if they want to they can get away from each other. I will get a pic of that for you too. They are together year round though. I have two red lights and one large day light that is zoo med. You will see in the pic.

The two that you bought together should be old enough at 4 years but a female at 1 year probably won't be ready for a bit. Housing them together is not a good idea as has been said in this forum often. What may seem like loving hundling is actually them combatting for the warmspots in the tank. This can stress BP extremely. I would definately take the female that you said is a year old out of the tank and get her own enclosure. I would also seperate the two that you are trying to breed. This is often done in order to let the male rest and makes the female unrecognizable to him. In the wild these animals are solitary and do not burrow together. Your best bet is to mock their wild behavior and environment as much as possible. Good Luck!

-Bill
"I say it again I am not a pro but have done a lot or research and talked to a lot of people so take what I say and what everyone else says on this forum as suggestions not fact"

Just wanted to add that it is highly unreliable to tell the sex of BPs by looking/comparing tail & spur size. The most reliable method is to have it probed by someone with experience.

Eric

Eric, you're right, probing is the best bet for sexing. If you don't have access to probes or someone who can do this properly though, if you already own the snakes, a little trial and error can prove out.