Pre lay shed?

This is my first year breeding and I think I'm close to getting some eggs. I have a proven spider that laid early July last year. Here is the timeline for this female:

1-22-13 first lock
3-20-13 shed
4-30-13 refused first meal, and last visible lock(attempted the last couple weeks and nothing)

I'm not very good but I've been able to feel follicles on and off this season with her, and now I can't. I haven't noticed many things like soaking or laying inverted, but for the last month I've only been able to check on my snakes once or twice a week. I noticed what I assume building everytime I was able to see her. Today I noticed she's at the beginning stages of a shed, staying on the hot side. Do you think I missed her ovulate, and this is a pre lay shed?
Thanks

Sounds like it could be, especially if you haven't been able to keep an eye on her daily. Hopefully you'll have eggs!

Someone more familiar with breeding behaviors should chime in though. Her sticking to her hotspot is what makes me think yes, you've got a late batch of eggs on the way!

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Originally Posted by hops523

I've only been able to check on my snakes once or twice a week.

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I would die! Ha, I have OCD about my
Snakes. There CAN NOT be one dirty tub. I can't imagine going for more than a day without looking! Must clean!

IF possible, you might want to keep an eye on them more. It isn't a good idea to have your snakes slithering around in their excrement. (Not saying you don't set your standards high) but especially during breeding season you want to keep everything highly sanitized.

As for getting some eggs. All the dates go about right with the timeline! Keep your figures crossed! Wish you the best of luck

Thanks for the replies. I'll see if she continues to stay on the warm side.

Unfortunately right now it's the best I can do, and it does drive me crazy. I'm moving and it should only be this way for the next couple weeks. I also wanted this girl to ovulate before I moved her.

It sounds like your getting close to her laying. For me, I can't ever feel follicles, but my females will stay more to the cool side of the tub before/during ovulation. After ovulation they will stay over the heat. One more shed and the countdown is on!

When you can get to were you can check on them daily, then will won't miss when she ovulates. It's pretty obvious when she does. Good luck :gj:

Check her coloration, most ball pythons will tend to lighten their overall color and their blushing tends to get brighter. We call this the glow and it is a tell tale sign that she is getting ready. The old saying is if they glow they go:gj:

Hi all,It's my first breeding season.My BP has POS this night.but she is still on cool end of the tub.I hope it doesn't matter.can I clean and change her bedding in tub now,or better not to disturb her?

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Originally Posted by Janci

Hi all,It's my first breeding season.My BP has POS this night.but she is still on cool end of the tub.I hope it doesn't matter.can I clean and change her bedding in tub now,or better not to disturb her?

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You probably misjudged ovulation unless your husbandry is pretty off. She should be on the hot spot most of the time before ovulation and stay on that side through laying. If you have her on paper, I'd switch to coco bark or cypress mulch now till after she lays IMHO. Humidity being right is a lot more crucial for laying than any other time and I just wouldn't risk it with paper. Spot cleaning is fine, but I wouldn't do any deep cleaning till after you pull eggs.

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Originally Posted by nikkubus

You probably misjudged ovulation unless your husbandry is pretty off. She should be on the hot spot most of the time before ovulation and stay on that side through laying. If you have her on paper, I'd switch to coco bark or cypress mulch now till after she lays IMHO. Humidity being right is a lot more crucial for laying than any other time and I just wouldn't risk it with paper. Spot cleaning is fine, but I wouldn't do any deep cleaning till after you pull eggs.

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Thanks for reaction.I think that they shouldn't be on the hot spot before ovulation,but right after that till eggs.

I worded it a bit funny. What I meant to say was that just before ovulation they usually start being on the hot spot most the time, not during the majority of building.