tricks to get ball pythons to start breeding for the 1st time

I have been keeping ball pythons and other snakes for a while now. But, I'd like to start producing some of my own snakes for myself. I've seen people talk about putting two males together if one of them needs a push to start breeding. I've also seen using a shed of one male in the females bin with the unmotivated male. All of this makes sense but I don't have an experienced male or female. All my breeding sized ball pythons and virgins. Does anyone have tips to get them in the mood if they're not doing it themselves.

Opening the window slightly during a storm is the only trick I have ever had to use. Something about storms get those snakes going.

Related question - has anyone correlated security to locking? Everyone always says they remove hides during pairing... any thoughts as to whether or not that affects their behavior?

Storms are definitely a good one. You'll also know when a female is ready because she will express her scent glands when the male enters. You kind of want their enclosure to be a little dirty (not unsanitary) which is a tricky balance. I've noticed they get going once they pee on each other. Could be scent, could be clearing the passage, could be both.

Here are a few tips I know off the top of my head. Honestly I've been fortunate enough to not have to use any. All my males have been ready to breed, and the females that didn't want to was because they weren't ready. But I have had great breed to lay ratio and haven't done anything but pair.

- Pair during a storm
- mist the enclosure
- put two males together with a female
- rub another males shed on the back of the female
- lower the heat a couple degrees leading up to breeding season (this is to simulate the weather conditions in the wild)
- some people even use light cycles to get them to go

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I've seen people talk about putting two males together

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It can be done but it's really not a good idea as the loser may even be more reluctant to breed afterward (especially first timer)

Use the shed of a male instead an place it in the enclosure with the animals you have paired, you can also use the sperm plug of another male and smear it on the female's back.

You can put two females in with one male.

The weather is your friends so look for low pressure.

In most cases there will not be any need for all those tricks.

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Originally Posted by MrLang

Related question - has anyone correlated security to locking? Everyone always says they remove hides during pairing... any thoughts as to whether or not that affects their behavior?

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It didn't affect mine at all yesterday, they were both right out in the open with the "lock" plastered up against the front of the tub.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

you can also use the sperm plug of another male and smear it on the female's back

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So that's why so many fights break out at clubs...

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Originally Posted by TheSnakeEye

Here are a few tips I know off the top of my head. Honestly I've been fortunate enough to not have to use any. All my males have been ready to breed, and the females that didn't want to was because they weren't ready. But I have had great breed to lay ratio and haven't done anything but pair.

- Pair during a storm
- mist the enclosure
- put two males together with a female
- rub another males shed on the back of the female
- lower the heat a couple degrees leading up to breeding season (this is to simulate the weather conditions in the wild)
- some people even use light cycles to get them to go

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you havent lowered the temp going into the breeding season?

i always thought this was needed with ball pythons?

Storms, Freedom breeder tubs that are solid colored, putting sheds in from other females and males (anything to spur competition), keeping the enclosures a little dirtier, and misting.

Take two males and just swap tubs on them- putting each male in the opposite males tub alone.

They will get the scent from the other male without any possibility of one of the males getting hurt, or timid if he is the "loser". Fresh sheds are not always available, but good to use as well.

Pairing with a cold front coming in has worked best for me so far. Watch the barometer ;)