Question

I have recently received about 3 dozen assorted ball pythons in a breeder buy out. I have a lengthy history breeding colubrids but pythons are a new game for me. I have read that you can tell when a male has sperm plugs and a female is ovulating, and yet I have not see a picture of either "look" to know what it is I am looking for. Does anyone have pictures of these events or is there a thorough ball python "bible" out there like there is printed for all the various colubrids.
Thanks

Here are some helpful links:

http://www.ballpythons.ca/gallery/breeding.html
http://www.vmsherp.com/LCBreedingBalls.htm
http://www.8ballpythons.com/journal/...ngcalendar.htm
http://www.8ballpythons.com/journal/...edertricks.htm


And welcome to BP.net!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dragonboy

I have recently received about 3 dozen assorted ball pythons in a breeder buy out. I have a lengthy history breeding colubrids but pythons are a new game for me. I have read that you can tell when a male has sperm plugs and a female is ovulating, and yet I have not see a picture of either "look" to know what it is I am looking for. Does anyone have pictures of these events or is there a thorough ball python "bible" out there like there is printed for all the various colubrids.
Thanks

---

As far as books go there is the "Complete Ball Python" by Kevin McCurley and the Barkers from VPI have also written one, but the name escapes me right now.

The Barkers wrote "Pythons of the World, Vol 2: Ball Pythons." A must-have in my opinion.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CritterVet

The Barkers wrote "Pythons of the World, Vol 2: Ball Pythons." A must-have in my opinion.

---

i agree 100% you can find it here http://www.vpi.com/

Sperm plugs are super easy--learn how to sex ball pythons here:

YouTube - How to Pop Ball Pythons
and here:
YouTube - Ball Python Male

These two vids alone were enough to teach me how to do it. Remember to use common sense and be gentle--it does take a bit of practice. Watch the vids over and over a few times, and refer back to them if you don't get it right away.

When you pop a male ball python, and expose the hemipenes, the sperm plugs will be revealed--just long bits of dried sperm within the hemipenal pockets, they'll be exposed when the hemipenes are.

An ovulating female looks like she's inexplicably swallowed a jumbo rat. This only lasts for about a day, though, so it's easy to miss.

Hey!

Just an idea, you said you bought another breeder out. Why wouldn't you just ask the breeder. I recently did the same I purchased close to 90 Bp's and the breeder came down(2 hours from me) checked out my room gave me suggestions, showed me this and showed me that. She also had a table already booked for the next expo here in canada she said I could come share the table with her (because she still had a few odds and ends to get rid of) and she would help me out being it my first expo where I was on the other end of the table ;)

It's just an Idea but if this guy/girl you bought from was in it more for the love of reptiles opposed to the money making side of things then he/she should be more than willing to talk to you or even show you the things you need to know.