What does this shed mean?

[Lolo76]

One of my girls, Nerissa, has been hooking up with Toby since November... she's also been on a fast since before then, in fact she's NEVER eaten for me (I bought her in October). She's still quite plump and surprisingly hasn't lost much weight, so I went ahead with the breeding plans.

Anyway, she hadn't shed since 10/22, and is in full shed right now. Does this have any "role" in the breeding process, or is it just a regularly scheduled shed... despite the fact that she's been off feed for 3.5 months? I don't think it's the pre-ovulation shed quite yet, since I haven't seen any signs of follicle development - not that I know anything about it, seeing as I'm a first-time breeder. Is there a pre-follicle shed?? Here's her iHerp page, and I'd appreciate any input on where she might be at: http://www.iherp.com/HerpTrack/Track...AnimalID=32242

P.S. She was also recently introduced to two other boys, just to see if they had any interest yet (I'm short on the ladies, LOL)... no copulations observed, but ya never know.

[FIEND_FO_LYFE]

Im sure its just a normal shed. I had a female that didnt eat for like 6 months..
and shed 3 times...

[docturgonzo]

Im sure its just a normal shed. I had a female that didnt eat for like 6 months..
and shed 3 times...

Ditto

Sheding isnt entirely down to the snake simply out growing its old skin as is sometimes thought. they will shed even if they havent eaten for long periods of time. The skin takes a bit of a pounding really throuout its life and the shed is a way of getting rid of the old , dirty , scratched , broken skin in order to avoid possible infections and things like that.

If the snakes are still locking then just keep at it until you witness an ovulation. Fingers crossed for you

Go on www.ballpython.ca and ha has a great pictorial in the gallery on Breeding and what to look out for

[Lolo76]

Thanks for the replies! I figured it was a normal shed, since I haven't noticed any signs of follicle building or ovulation... just curious if they usually shed before those stages. I've studied the ballpython.ca gallery, but it's all so confusing.

On a side note, my other breeder (Mona) has been hugging her water dish... now I know that's supposed to be a good sign.

[docturgonzo]

On a side note, my other breeder (Mona) has been hugging her water dish... now I know that's supposed to be a good sign.

Fingers crossed for you there

It is all a bit confusing really as alot of the signs some people look for like bowl wrapping , laying inverted etc also happen with non gravid females too and depending on who you talk to they all have a different set of events they look for.

The ones that seem constant though is the Ovy and Pre-lay shed.(please correct me if im wrong)

I think they like to trick us sometimes with these little teasers of bowl wrapping etc

[Lolo76]

It certainly is confusing for us newbies.

Right now they're on a break, since I was in the process of moving... but once they're all settled in, I'll just keep pairing and let nature take its course!