Do you think she will be ready?

[Sammiebob]

I have a female ball python, and this is her third winter. I got her a male breeder ball, and currently the female is at about 1300 grams (give or take a few). She has been eating regularly, in fact she ate yesterday. My question is, do you think that she will be ready to breed this coming season? I wouldn't start the cool down period until probably mid november at the earliest, but would it be safe for her to breed? I don't want her to become egg bound, but from what I have read, people are saying that their third winter is when they are good to go. I have also heard the minimum weight be 1200 grams but that seems low, and I have also heard the minimum be around 1600 grams which seems high. Thank you for any advice!

[WmHrbst]

It really depends on the female. I have had females weigh 1300 grams that were stocky and short compared to females who weighed 1600 grams that were longer and not as thick. The 1300 gram female laid 7 perfect eggs and the 1600 gram girl never seemed to get going. Weight is just one factor into breeding. Palpating for follicles is a great technique to help determine if a female will lay as well.

[Sammiebob]

Alright thank you! I haven't paired them yet, I will be doing some extra research before I go about doing that. Thank you for the reply 😊

[CORBIN911]

We have no control, Iv had a girl go at 1350.. an d one go at 2250. They are ready when they want to be.

[Sammiebob]

We have no control, Iv had a girl go at 1350.. an d one go at 2250. They are ready when they want to be.

Thank you, I should have said "is it safe to try"

[CORBIN911]

You can try... Just expect 2 snakes either smooshed together or at opposite ends!

[Sammiebob]

Alright thank you!n

[joebad976]

Yup give it a shot

[PitOnTheProwl]

They don't go by age or weight in the wild.............
Could you imagine trying to pick up a chic at a bar.... "hey baby how much you weigh?"
I bet you would get at least one black eye LoL

Either she will go or she wont, its all up to her.

[Sammiebob]

Woohoo! This is really exciting!! And I live in a rainy area (Oregon) and I heard that they get a bit more 'excited' when it starts to rain. Fingers crossed!