How big does she need to be?

So I am trying to figure out the smallest in grams a ball python can be before they can breed. I have a girl around 800 grams and she looked weird as if she was ovulating a few days ago. If that was possible, does it mean shes ready? Or should she be around the 1500 gram mark like most people go with?

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Originally Posted by hypnotixdmp

So I am trying to figure out the smallest in grams a ball python can be before they can breed. I have a girl around 800 grams and she looked weird as if she was ovulating a few days ago. If that was possible, does it mean shes ready? Or should she be around the 1500 gram mark like most people go with?

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I would be more concerned about age than weight. How old is she?

Everyone throws out the 1500 gram mark because that's what everyone reads on the net. Plenty of sub 1k gram females have laid just fine. And plenty of 1500+ gram females have had issues. If she's at least a couple years old and has good body mass, I'd say you're good to go.

Shes not very big, she about 1 1/2 years old now. So if not at least 2 years then wait till she gets bigger?

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Originally Posted by hypnotixdmp

Shes not very big, she about 1 1/2 years old now. So if not at least 2 years then wait till she gets bigger?

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I would wait and see how she's doing towards the end of the year. Summer months are usually when they feed the most consistently. If that's the case with her, let her keep it up.

Most will suggest females be AT LEAST 1500g or at least three years old.

Some will breed an older female, that isn't as large though.

I suggest you keep feeding your girl and not attempt to breed her for awhile.

Has she already been with a male?

I'm not as concerned with weight as others are. In fact I'm of the opinion that we tend to feed our snakes too much so I tend to feed much less then most people here. A larger size is usually better, but what I usually look for is a female that's at least 3 years old.

I had a ball python last year that was 1500grams that I didnt breed, b/c she was long and skinny. I had one that was 1250 grams that I did breed. She has to be round enough to fit egg inside her thats it, and not too skinny were she would get egg bound.

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Originally Posted by zues

Has she already been with a male?

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Negative, was thinking if it was right I would put one in with her, but I will wait!!

I would definitely wait, that's small and she's pretty young. Keep fattening her up and give it a shot this fall.