I have a question!

[RockNRollProcelain]

So I recently got a Female Normal Ball Python (she's a rescue, essentially). He claimed she was gravid, but I have my doubts. However, in case she is, I'm trying to learn everything I can and get as much information as possible. Now, when I asked when she supposedly locked with the male, he said in both October and November locks happened. That sounds like it would be too early for me to be only just now seeing signs of gravidness, right? Or is it totally possible that they locked only in October or November and she's only just now going to get gravid?

More info: He also brought the male over for a "sleep over" and they didn't lock - the male seemed to be trying, from what I've read, but the girl just didn't seem interested. I don't know if this is a sign or not. I can't say if she looks bigger than normal, because I've only had her about a week and have nothing to compare to. Right above her tail does seem to be a little swollen, but since I didn't have her before to see what she looked like, it could just be the shape of her body. Her midsection feels a little bit hard, but I can't tell if she's just contracting her muscles or whatnot. She's not sitting coiled in a perfect circle. She occasionally curls around her waterbowl, but not for very long, and it's not a tight coil, more like she was just going around it, thought it felt nice, and decided to stay. She's currently 2061g, but the previous owner didn't have a previous weight for her (didn't surprise me - he didn't take very good care of her). The past two days she's been loving the hot spot in her tub, laying as close to the heat as she can get.

Thank you for reading my jumbled and sporadic facts about this girl, and for any help and opinions I get! =] I really appreciate it!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

He claimed she was gravid

Which would mean he has witness an ovulation, if so do you know when he would have seen that ovy (that would help knowing how much time you have left)

he said in both October and November locks happened. That sounds like it would be too early for me

Not too early I have several females that have ovulated and I even have eggs

Or is it totally possible that they locked only in October or November and she's only just now going to get gravid?

It is possible too their is no specific timeline from witnessing locks and getting an ovy, the only guaranteed time line is from ovy to eggs the rest may vary.

More info: He also brought the male over for a "sleep over" and they didn't lock - the male seemed to be trying, from what I've read, but the girl just didn't seem interested. I don't know if this is a sign or not.

Females are not receptive everytime paired and it does not necessarily mean that they are done, I also doubt that you stayed up all night to watch so you really do not know what happen.

Right above her tail does seem to be a little swollen

Can be something else such as soon to come bowel movement.

The past two days she's been loving the hot spot in her tub, laying as close to the heat as she can get.

Again while female that have ovulated seek heat, it's not a guaranteed sign,female do not need to be gravid to prefer the hot spot.

Now here is something fairly simple that might help you determine where your female currently stands at http://ballpython.ca/gallery/breeding/ (I think it is a great guide for beginners), understand that without examining the animal in person it's very hard for anyone to confirm whether or not your female is gravid especially based on your description.

[RockNRollProcelain]

Which would mean he has witness an ovulation, if so do you know when he would have seen that ovy (that would help knowing how much time you have left)

Not too early I have several females that have ovulated and I even have eggs

It is possible too their is no specific timeline from witnessing locks and getting an ovy, the only guaranteed time line is from ovy to eggs the rest may vary.

Females are not receptive everytime paired and it does not necessarily mean that they are done, I also doubt that you stayed up all night to watch so you really do not know what happen.

Can be something else such as soon to come bowel movement.

Again while female that have ovulated seek heat, it's not a guaranteed sign,female do not need to be gravid to prefer the hot spot.

Now here is something fairly simple that might help you determine where your female currently stands at http://ballpython.ca/gallery/breeding/ (I think it is a great guide for beginners), understand that without examining the animal in person it's very hard for anyone to confirm whether or not your female is gravid especially based on your description.

Okay, so it IS still possible that even without any locks after November she could be gravid. I asked him about the ovulation, described what it should look like, but he's not sure. He wasn't around very much, from what he's told me, and I was able to get her because he was neglecting her and wanted her to go somewhere she could be looked after properly. So there is no known record of an ovulation, which is part of why I have absolutely no idea what to expect. I've read almost every description, watched countless videos, looked at pictures...and it still just leaves me in this kind of limbo, where she could be, because she resembled a lot of different images and descriptions, but also might not be because she doesn't resemble a lot or fit a lot of descriptions.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question, and I apologize that I can't provide better information about her. I'm still learning about her, and the previous owner hasn't given me much information to work off of either. The only definite thing he was able to tell me was that the locks were in October and November. I really do appreciate you answering my questions though!!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Okay, so it IS still possible that even without any locks after November she could be gravid.

It is possible females can retain sperm even for much longer then that

I asked him about the ovulation, described what it should look like, but he's not sure.

Then if he is not sure I don't see how he can say she is gravid, ovy are hard to miss even if you don't catch it at it's peak you can catch the beginning or the end of it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question, and I apologize that I can't provide better information about her. I'm still learning about her

Not a problem getting an animal in as a rescue from someone who obviously was trying to breed but had no clue is definitely not helping however, should she be gravid (and she probably isn't) you can always let nature take it's course by letting her incubating her clutch. All you would need to worry about is to make sure that she has proper stable temps at about 88/89 and proper constant humidity (Cypress mulch would help in that case).

[RockNRollProcelain]

It is possible females can retain sperm even for much longer then that

Then if he is not sure I don't see how he can say she is gravid, ovy are hard to miss even if you don't catch it at it's peak you can catch the beginning or the end of it.

Not a problem getting an animal in as a rescue from someone who obviously was trying to breed but had no clue is definitely not helping however, should she be gravid (and she probably isn't) you can always let nature take it's course by letting her incubating her clutch. All you would need to worry about is to make sure that she has proper stable temps at about 88/89 and proper constant humidity (Cypress mulch would help in that case).

I didn't understand his conclusion either, but he said that he had had a friend take a look at her for some reason (he never did tell me why) and that his friend is a breeder. He said his friend reached the conclusion that she was probably gravid based on feeling her and looking at her. Perhaps he DID spot an ovulation, but just didn't know what it was? He has no idea if she's done any sheds that could pertain to her ovulation or pre-lay. It's slightly frustrating because I feel so lost. I want to be providing her the best care that I can (she's kept in a nice clean environment now, with fresh water every day, right temps and humidity, had to soak some stuck shed off of her, and I've got her vet appointment for Monday) and I feel like I'm missing a huge piece of information that could affect how she's being handled or cared for. I currently have her on a two-layer substrate. Aspen is my bottom layer, and then Cypress mulch on top. The tub she's in has done a great job of keeping the humidity right, and the heat tape and thermostat regulate the temps (plus I check them every day like 6 times a day with a temp gun). She seems happy, is always curious and alert, so I take that as a good sign that I'm doing right by her. Even her coloring, which was already beautiful, has gotten more vibrant. She's an awful pretty Normal girl, with incredible blushing. I'm hoping to keep her that way! As healthy as possible!

Oh, and if she is gravid, I plan on letting her incubate her clutch. I figure that she knows better than I do what her eggs need, and I can totally maintain temperatures and humidity for her.