Breeding Season

[coreyl]

I'm wondering when the next breeding season is? I bred corn snakes last year, but now I have ball pythons and I'm wondering when breeding season begins for them. My female is about 4 years old and just about up to breeding size. My male is around 300 grams, he's obviously not up to breeding weight, but I'm wondering if he would be ready by next breeding season, whenever that begins.

[Mustang5]

The breeding season is technically November-whenever your female is gravid. But many people breed year round and simulate the temperature drop. So whenever your male is around 700g you could breed them and not wait until winter.

[coreyl]

And is it the same process as corn snakes? I introduced them a few times then she was carrying eggs. Is there anything special I'd have to do other than introducing them three or four times? Also, my female is pretty aggressive towards me, would she also be that way towards my male? Since he's a lot smaller than she is I don't want there to be any problems with him getting hurt.

[Albert Clark]

Usually breeding goes on all year except for some who decide to cycle or prime their bp's. That would begin in December through February lowering daytime temps at night and raising them again. During that time the males are put in with females. March through July the temps are raised and they stay constant. Males and females are still fed during this time. Any locks that are observed after 2 to 3 days the male should be rested. Gravid females usually lay eggs in May or June.

[Mustang5]

And is it the same process as corn snakes? I introduced them a few times then she was carrying eggs. Is there anything special I'd have to do other than introducing them three or four times? Also, my female is pretty aggressive towards me, would she also be that way towards my male? Since he's a lot smaller than she is I don't want there to be any problems with him getting hurt.

I think Albert Clark answered most of your questions. Your female shouldn't be aggressive toward your male although it has been known to happen but its extremely rare. There may be some scuffling but to my understanding thats pretty normal.

[bondo]

And is it the same process as corn snakes? I introduced them a few times then she was carrying eggs. Is there anything special I'd have to do other than introducing them three or four times? Also, my female is pretty aggressive towards me, would she also be that way towards my male? Since he's a lot smaller than she is I don't want there to be any problems with him getting hurt.

Not even close to the same process. With corns you have kind of a tight window and things move through the process quick. Balls on the other hand can drag on and on. Most start breeding in early to mid winter. That way you can use the cooler weather as your friend. Some don't cool their snakes down and some do. Some cool the hotspot down some cool the room temp down. I just cool the room temp down. You can kind of figure on when corns will lay after you see the first lock. With balls you will not. I start breeding in January and will have eggs laid into October.

[ARBallMorphs]

I didnt change anything in temps or humidity and last monday i placed my Super Pastel Calico male to my Lesser Pastel female en a couple of hours later I saw them locked.

[bondo]

I didnt change anything in temps or humidity and last monday i placed my Super Pastel Calico male to my Lesser Pastel female en a couple of hours later I saw them locked.

Yup you don't need to cool down to breed. However it seems to help to keep them in a cycle. Balls will breed pretty much year round. How big are your girls follicles?

[ARBallMorphs]

Who, mine girls follicles? I have no idea, I tried palpating her but it was my first time ever trying it, I felt a lot of things could have been follicles among that but I have no idea haha, guess i'll have to take her to the vet to make a scan to be sure

[coreyl]

So basically whenever my male gets up to size I can start the process? Just keep introducing them every few days until I notice that she's pregnant?