This subject has been beaten so much, that the body doesn't even
closely resemble a horse anymore. If a female is not able to breed, she won't, healthy or otherwise. Like Shannon said, it usually has to do with her weight, and physical health. I have found 20" gravid Cal Kings. If a snake is not ready to bread, it won't, and if it is, she will produce follicles, with or without a male. I've heard all kinds of goofy theories. If you breed a snake to soon, you'll shorten her life span. Yet the people that say this have never kept a snake alive for 25 years, so how would they know? People have also said that you'll get smaller
less fertile clutches. Does anybody have any hard facts to prove this? Has anybody raised several females under the same conditions, with one group being introduced to cycled males
after there first brumation, and every season after? With one group being held until, say, their 4th year before breeding,
And another group not being bred at all? In my experience the non-bred females are the group that will suffer the highest casualties, usually from egg dystocia, from infertile eggs.
Donbird8 said that he cycled his female, but she did not breed, or at least produce follicles. The fact is that for some reason the female was not ready to breed. There are many variables that could have affected this seasons outcome, but there's always next season. Good luck!
-Phil
-----
Work is the curse
of the drinking class!

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