Getting into breeding balls

[TheShortBus]

Over the last two months ive done alot of reading and research on breeding bp's and im goin to take the plunge. I'm in no way new to snakes, as i've had my normal male "Rouge" for 9 years now. And just recently got a Columbian Rainbow Boa as well. I though about starting off with something small like corns, but i just love bp's and cant stop drooling over all the morphs.

Anyway, I just started building a rack system out of two book shelfs i have. Actually it's goin to be more like a show rack than your normal tubs, seeing its goin to have 5 40 gallon sized housing in it . I just ordered a few feet of flexwatt as well.

So im thinking about getting a male spider, pastel, and a few normal females to start off with. As far as the females go ive thought about getting some WC's, but ive herd they dont like to breed. Is this true, and is it really worth it just to save a few bux?

Also do you think my normal male i already have would breed? Duno if thats a dumb question, but just seeing that hes been by himself for over 8 years now i dont know how all that works. I just think he has a really cool pattern and hes a beast as well at just under 2000grams.

Any input will be much appreciated!

[blackcrystal22]

Over the last two months ive done alot of reading and research on breeding bp's and im goin to take the plunge. I'm in no way new to snakes, as i've had my normal male "Rouge" for 9 years now. And just recently got a Columbian Rainbow Boa as well. I though about starting off with something small like corns, but i just love bp's and cant stop drooling over all the morphs.

Anyway, I just started building a rack system out of two book shelfs i have. Actually it's goin to be more like a show rack than your normal tubs, seeing its goin to have 5 40 gallon sized housing in it . I just ordered a few feet of flexwatt as well.

So im thinking about getting a male spider, pastel, and a few normal females to start off with. As far as the females go ive thought about getting some WC's, but ive herd they dont like to breed. Is this true, and is it really worth it just to save a few bux?

Also do you think my normal male i already have would breed? Duno if thats a dumb question, but just seeing that hes been by himself for over 8 years now i dont know how all that works. I just think he has a really cool pattern and hes a beast as well at just under 2000grams.

Any input will be much appreciated!

Your ball pythons are going to take a bit to grow up to size as females need to be over at least 1200 grams and males need to be at least 800 grams.. I think that's about the amount. Usually they wait longer for females to get closer to 2000 so that they are healthy and not as effected by the weight loss.
It's a good start! It's similar to my plan, and with that I recommend learning on corn snakes while your pall pythons grow up to size. Adult corns run pretty inexpensive and are easy to keep and breed. I have a handful of corns that I will be attempting to breed for the first time next season. It'll be my first shot, so we'll see.

But the thing about starting with corn snakes, is it's much easier to regulate temps and they are less picky. If you lose a clutch, it also won't be as devastating money wise with corn snakes as it would be for balls.

Just my 2c.

[TheShortBus]

thanks for the input

yeah i know about the size needed for breeding, thats why im goin to be getting adults to start off with.

and i still am thinking about doin corns as well just for fun. Haven't read up much on them though, how big are their clutches, and how long to they take to hatch etc?

[blackcrystal22]

thanks for the input

yeah i know about the size needed for breeding, thats why im goin to be getting adults to start off with.

and i still am thinking about doin corns as well just for fun. Haven't read up much on them though, how big are their clutches, and how long to they take to hatch etc?

Corn snakes have larger clutches than ball pythons. Usually they have anywhere between 3-15 eggs. Sometimes of course they can go higher or lower than that, but I have seen small clutches and have heard of clutches being as large as 30 eggs, but it is rare.
Usually it's around 12-15 eggs. My corn laid 9 eggs when we first got her, and she was accidentally bred and a bit underweight.
Gestation is close to a balls, usually between 60-65 days, and the eggs can incubate between 82-85 degrees for good results.

Let me know if any of my information is off to anyone who knows more than me, this is just stuff that I have read in books here and there and I presume is relatively accurate.

Personally, I find it much more enjoyable to raise up ball pythons from hatchlings.

[Argentra]

There's a lot of work involved in breeding either species. Making sure the females are of or above proper weight, having all snakes in good health, making sure you have an incubator (or two) and a good quality t-stat to keep the temps stable, having the room for the hatchlings and a venue or two to sell them once they've fed enough times, and of course, being prepared for health issues.

Corns are easier to breed and keep, but they can become egg-bound, so you have to be careful with them.
Balls need very stable egg incubation temps and more room as hatchlings than corns.

As long as you've read up, know all the minuses as well as pluses, and are prepared for all avenues, then go for it!

[blackcrystal22]

There's a lot of work involved in breeding either species. Making sure the females are of or above proper weight, having all snakes in good health, making sure you have an incubator (or two) and a good quality t-stat to keep the temps stable, having the room for the hatchlings and a venue or two to sell them once they've fed enough times, and of course, being prepared for health issues.

Corns are easier to breed and keep, but they can become egg-bound, so you have to be careful with them.
Balls need very stable egg incubation temps and more room as hatchlings than corns.

As long as you've read up, know all the minuses as well as pluses, and are prepared for all avenues, then go for it!

Argentra, I have also heard of the egg-bound problem. Do you by any chance know of the signs and solutions?

[TheShortBus]

k thanks guys.

yeah my room mate and i already have a room set up where we keep our baby chams. its kept plenty warm as well, im sure ill still need hot spots but its still a plus, cuz we have a misting sytem rigged up also.

so can anyone help me out with my WC female question i had in my first post?

[blackcrystal22]

k thanks guys.

yeah my room mate and i already have a room set up where we keep our baby chams. its kept plenty warm as well, im sure ill still need hot spots but its still a plus, cuz we have a misting sytem rigged up also.

so can anyone help me out with my WC female question i had in my first post?

Right.
WCs can be very difficult feeding and usually have more trouble settling in to a new environment. I don't recommend WC or CH. Just CB. More trouble than it's worth I would think.

[Argentra]

Argentra, I have also heard of the egg-bound problem. Do you by any chance know of the signs and solutions?

I'm not entirely sure, though I have been researching and talking to corn breeders so I'll get the answer soon enough.

There are some folks around here who would know well, since they already breed corns big time.

[TheShortBus]

my racks almost finished so and i went out and bought 4 41qt and 6 20qt sterilite tubs at walmart just to start out with. and the 41 quarts will be all filled up next week . its starting to come together pretty nice for just some old thrown out book shelfs. ill be sure to post some pics when its all done.


oh and was wondering, ive noticed people having male and female racks? whats the reasoning behind this? my rack is goin to be able to house 11 adults and i had planned on having male and females both in it. would that effect anything during breeding season?