Breeding

[ravensfan1994]

I have a 1200 grams ball python and its around 1 1/2 years I feed her once a week and was just wondering if she could breed this November? Thank you in advice for answering back

[Eric Alan]

Possibly, but not likely. From everything I've read, she needs to put on at least another 300 grams to be ready to breed. Combine that with her being young, I wouldn't be getting my hopes up too much for a successful November pairing with her if I were in your shoes. Maybe later in the season though.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Yes

[bcr229]

General rule for girls is 1500 grams and entering her third winter.

I have two that are old enough, but they are still a little light and are picky eaters, so I'm holding off until next year with them.

[Eric Alan]

Yes

OK - I'll bite. I have yet to pair any of my animals, much less produce any babies, so I'll defer to your experience on this one. Can you expand on your answer for me, Deborah?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

OK - I'll bite. I have yet to pair any of my animals, much less produce any babies, so I'll defer to your experience on this one. Can you expand on your answer for me, Deborah?

Sure

Weight wise she is not there yet, I don't breed anything that is 18 months and under 1500 grams (I do breed older snake that are lighter but it's another discussion) but she can get there for this coming season.

When I used to have a season (I pretty much breed year round now), I would start on an heavier feeding schedule starting in september that would mean a small to medium rat every 5 days instead of every 7 days while the female eats.

At that rate a female can be ready by the end of the year, or january the next which is still considered this coming season.

Hope this helps.

[Eric Alan]

Sure

Weight wise she is not there yet, I don't breed anything that is 18 months and under 1500 grams (I do breed older snake that are lighter but it's another discussion) but she can get there for this coming season.

When I used to have a season (I pretty much breed year round now), I would start on an heavier feeding schedule starting in september that would mean a small to medium rat every 5 days instead of every 7 days while the female eats.

At that rate a female can be ready by the end of the year, or january the next which is still considered this coming season.

Hope this helps.

It does. I'm glad I didn't miss the boat completely. Would you even start pairing this girl until she hit the 1500 gram mark? I was basing my answer on November being ~5 weeks away and with 300 grams to go, I didn't see a November pairing in the cards. This season - yes; November - not likely.

How much success getting smaller girls up to size did you have when you did your heavier early season meals?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

It does. I'm glad I didn't miss the boat completely. Would you even start pairing this girl until she hit the 1500 gram mark? I was basing my answer on November being ~5 weeks away and with 300 grams to go, I didn't see a November pairing in the cards. This season - yes; November - not likely.

How much success getting smaller girls up to size did you have when you did your heavier early season meals?

Personally no I would not at that current size and age. I like to breed big girls.

Most females within that range with an heavier feeding schedule would make it for the season, it really depends in your female, if you have females with a strong feeding response use that at your advantage.

[Mike41793]

By November, Yea I'd try pairing her. As long as she's eating well and has good body shape, I would. Size has to do with it, but isn't the ultimate factor. It really comes down to sexual maturity. If you want to, you can. If you prefer to wait another six months or a year until she's bigger, that's perfectly fine too. But to answer the question could she, yes, potentially she could.