Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys. how long does it take ball pythons to reach sexual maturiy? i have a gold ball and a normal ball that i wanted to breed and they are both babies. i am wondering how long i will have to wait before i can start breeding them

MALE 1 YEAR FEMALE 3 YEARS DEPENDING ON HOW OFTEN THEY EAT

It depends on the snake - males start breeding between 400 and 700 grams some start later. Females shouldn't be bred until after 1300 grams. Younger females that reach breedable weight still may not be ready to breed until the following season and males that breed early may not have viable sperm. In general 1 year for males 3 years for females.
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Tosha

"Stupid is forever, ignorance can be fixed." Don Wood

"Of course, that's only my opinion...and I believe I am God." =) Chris Bianco

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope John Paul)
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 Pool skimmer rescues for this season

now when you say 1 year do you mean the next breeding season after being born or the one after that as in like 2 years?

Nothing is set in stone with these guys! Your snake will know when its ready!
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Tosha

"Stupid is forever, ignorance can be fixed." Don Wood

"Of course, that's only my opinion...and I believe I am God." =) Chris Bianco

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope John Paul)
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 Pool skimmer rescues for this season

but how will i know? just put them together every year when it is time to breed? right now one of my balls is a male and the other is uncomfirmed. when i go to get mice thurs i am taking him in to ask. if he is a male i know someone with a female. also what am i likely to get if i breed a gold and a normal?

OK males could be ready to breed anytime between 400 and 1000 grams, you can check for sperm plugs if you think he may be of size. Time wise this could be anywhere from 6 months to a year old maybe later. Females shouldn't be bred until after they are 1300 grams you can get a female to 1300 grams in about a year and half, but that doesn't necessarily mean she will be ready to breed then either, three years old is about the right time some a little sooner some a little later. It depends on the snake.

>>>also what am i likely to get if i breed a gold and a normal?

I'm assuming you mean you are breeding a normal to a high gold normal you would get more normal balls.
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Tosha

"Stupid is forever, ignorance can be fixed." Don Wood

"Of course, that's only my opinion...and I believe I am God." =) Chris Bianco

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope John Paul)
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.0 Pool skimmer rescues for this season

im aware that the golds are normals but would i end up with normals that have high gold or is it not genetic at all??

I'd say for the females to be breeding size and age their 3rd winter / breeding season or when they reach 1300 to 1500 Grams, whichever comes last. Opinions on this may vary though.

Hope this helps,

Rob Reiding.

Sexual maturity is not only the ability to breed but the desire or drive for breeding. Just because an animal is physically ready (e.g., producing sperm) does not mean they are mentally ready. Just like humans and many other animals, some start early, some start late. I have found that the best breeders are large older males. I have also found that many males under 1000 grams are quite passive. These are my own experiences. Again, as with anything else, there are different "drives" for different animals. A friend and I were discussing this season. He has an albino male that is an absolute s-e-x machine. While I have an albino male that wants to get to know the female, meet her parents and go out on a few dates before kissing. He's over 1000 grams but has always been this way - scared rabbit. I have other males that are the same way.

It just depends. Put your male in with a female and see what happens.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles