Female Health

[Griggs2121]

I have a friend that doesn't want his female ball python anymore and is willing to give it to me. She could be of use, I want to start an albino project. The thing is this snake hasn't always been taken care of very well. She was initially given to him by a friend that had a very bad set up, it was much colder in there than it should've been (no heater, just a lamp) I'm not sure how much the cage was cleaned, and had probably gone long stretches without food. She is in pretty good shape now, eating and everything. I'm just curious how this could affect breeding. He is now looking at just giving her away to a local reptile store, otherwise I can have it. What do you think?

[Nate]

I'd say go for it. but you may want to quarantine her for at least 3 months...which could put your breeding project off till next year.

[Griggs2121]

Yea, I was kind of planning on that anyways. I actually have another female that is probably ready and a male. But I don't have an incubator yet, so I'd probably be waiting anyways.

[Nate]

yeh well wait till you think you're ready

how big is your other girl?

[Griggs2121]

Ya know, I'm not even sure. I don't own a scale, but she probably close to 3ft. I believe this to be her third winter, but she went through a stretch not long after I got her a couple of years ago when she wasn't eating much, so I might've lost some valuable growing time. I should go get her weighed.

My other male is a little under sized for his age too, he was a twin and was very small when he was born. I believe he is around 2 years old.

[joepythons]

I have a friend that doesn't want his female ball python anymore and is willing to give it to me. She could be of use, I want to start an albino project. The thing is this snake hasn't always been taken care of very well. She was initially given to him by a friend that had a very bad set up, it was much colder in there than it should've been (no heater, just a lamp) I'm not sure how much the cage was cleaned, and had probably gone long stretches without food. She is in pretty good shape now, eating and everything. I'm just curious how this could affect breeding. He is now looking at just giving her away to a local reptile store, otherwise I can have it. What do you think?

Since you know she was not properly cared for or properly fed ,i would let him give her to the pet store.The reason i say this is simple.By her not being cared for and fed properly she could be stunted(unable to reach proper size) or even unable to breed all together.Of course its your choice,and this is my opinion if i was in that situation.

[Nate]

yeah there are some things you will need to know. If you're not sure about her weight, then it may be wise to hold off.

[Adam_Wysocki]

The reason i say this is simple.By her not being cared for and fed properly she could be stunted(unable to reach proper size) or even unable to breed all together.

Not true ... If put back on a proper feeding schedule, she'll eventually catch up ... it might take a bit, but if she's otherwise healthy there's no reason to believe that she won't make a great breeder one day.

-adam

[Griggs2121]

Thanks everyone. I just went to the pet store and put them all on scales, this wasn't a digital scale, so who knows how close it is.

My male (possible albino het) is 290g, The two females were 340 and 400 respectivley. I was shocked, I sort of want a second opinion on a different scale. The 400g female is the one that I am probably adopting. I was also told that maybe they're a little small because of food, so I stepped up to the jumbo mice (quite a bit larger than what they've been getting) and maybe small rats in the near future.

Looks like its next season for sure =)

[joepythons]

Not true ... If put back on a proper feeding schedule, she'll eventually catch up ... it might take a bit, but if she's otherwise healthy there's no reason to believe that she won't make a great breeder one day.

-adam

I know its a possibility and thats why i said could be stunted