Noob question for seasoned breeders!

[Slaugbr1]

Okay its my first year breeding! I have a proven female that i picked up at a show about 6 months ago and she was eating like a champ! About a month ago however she stopped eating. After about two weeks of refusing meals i read that it could be a sign that she is ready to breed.

so i paired her up and a lock within hours! After they separated i rested and fed the male but she refused again. Just last night i paired them again and they are locked as i write this.

My question is if this is normal or should i be worried. Like i said i read that some ball pythons go off of feed when they breed. But i have looked for information and timing of a breeding fast and i cant find anything. Iam just worried that without food she will bot produce folicles or viable eggs.

thanks for reading open to any suggetions or advice..... She was 2400 grams before the first refuseal and hasent ate in about a month

[PitOnTheProwl]

Seasonal feed refusals are normal.
There are many reason she could stop eating.
What are you feeding?
How often are you feeding?
What is all of your husbandry?

[Albert Clark]

THIS^^^^^ Also its usually the male that stops feeding during active breedings with females but certainly the reverse can happen as well. I don't think there is a exact time frame for a individual male or female to resume feeding. She will develop follicles if she is a appropriate age and weight prior to being bred.

[Slaugbr1]

Ok thanks guys i feed once a week she was taking them like a champ there has been no changes to her enclosure. Feeding rats doubled and tripled check my temps and humidity. My other to snakes are eating well.

i have been through some of the food strikes before. So its that instead of anything with breeding? I just thought if she was accepting locke that she would be feeding.

Thank you for responding hopefully it all works out

[Blue Apple Herps]

Can happen. I would keep offering her food though just to see if she will take.

How often are you pairing her? You could try extending the space between pairings to see if that helps. But I wouldn't sweat it too much. So long as she isn't obviously losing weight and otherwise appears in good health it shouldn't be an issue.

[rafacacho]

I ve been only breeding for four year, I m not an expert. But every year for me is the same. They are eating normally, then they are desperate about food, even taking bigger prey than usual, then they stop at all. If this happens I know things are going right. Personally I stop offering, to avoid the stress moment.
If she is 2.4 kg she can take a couple of months without eating.
Dont you worry, and keep pairing. Good luck.

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[Stewart_Reptiles]

No two animals are alike while the majority of my females will eat until they ovulate some stop at different stages, some even stop as soon they get paired, and I have a female or two that have been known to eat after ovy as well.

Male can do that too they will eat through out breeding season and some will just stop once you start pairing them.

This is why you need to know your animal evaluate whether or not they feel right to breed and pull them out when necessary.

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[Slaugbr1]

Thanks everyone! This is my first year breeding so i dont know my female breeding habits yet. I will update

[aLittleLessButter]

Yup I second Deborah, every female is different. My first female to go for me never had a big food drive and quit eating when she started building. Now she has eggs in the bator and is back on feed. My other girl who is bowl wrapping can't seem to get enough food! She is slamming them harder then a boa! Keep pairing her and watch for building behaviors.

[Slaugbr1]

Ok everyone so i caved! I have always only fed F/t but today i choose to see if she would take live. Just when i thought she wasent going to eat she finally struck! Iam relived that she ate! But i also hope now she is not hooked on live