breeding question

[knlreptiles]

Ok so i attempted my first breeding pair which was a normal x normal ( i know great genes right! ) because it was my first attempt and i just wanted to do it right with a not so expensive snake (not to mention they were my only two up to breeding size, i plan on mojave, pastel, and albino next season as i have snakes that will be up to size by then) so that a mess up would be mroe bareable and i could learn as i went. Well, i watch my girl and boy hook up a couple times, she had what i thought was the pre egg laying shed, and it's been about a month. Well no eggs have come yet and i'm starting to wonder, i paired them again but they won't couple now. Any ideas or am i just being nervous and eggs may come later on? Any suggestions! Thanks!

Kyle Rose

K n' L Reptiles

[Jay_Bunny]

Did you see an ovulation? That is the key to whether or not she will lay eggs. Females will shed several times during the breeding season so she may just have had a normal shed cycle, not her pre-lay shed. And just because you don't see them pairing up, doesn't mean they are not. Just give her some time and don't worry. She will lay if she's going to lay.

[knlreptiles]

i didn't see an ovulation.. this is my first season in balls and i'm a rookie, how long does it usually last for? and, the thing is now she just does not want to eat.. she did when i first paired them, but is that just normal for the breeding season?

[Jay_Bunny]

When they are getting close to an ovulation, they can go off feed. An ovulation only lasts a few days I think. If you didn't see an ovulation, keep pairing her up.

[knlreptiles]

ok sounds good.. do you have any pics of an ovulation? like what exactly am i looking for, it's like, i know what "to look for" but without actually seeing it... it's hard to be sure ya know what i mean?

[Jay_Bunny]

http://www.ballpython.ca/gallery/breeding.html

If you scroll down you can see a picture of an ovulation. An ovulation looks like they swallowed a huge rat. unmistakable. Once you see them ovulate, look for their next shed cycle. This will be the pre-lay shed. Once they shed, count 30 days. AROUND that time you should get eggs. My female went 60 days before I got eggs.

[knlreptiles]

oh wow, ok thank you so much for the help, i just really wanna do it right and make sure i don't screw it up

[Jay_Bunny]

No problem. I was just like that last season. Didn't want to screw anything up. Just keep pairing them up.

[knlreptiles]

will do hey how long do you usually pair for at a time?

[Jay_Bunny]

I usually do 3 days together, 3 days apart.