1st Time Breeding - 2 Pairs Locked + Ovulation

This is my first attempt and breeding my girls, and from what I've seen, I am having some success!

I really wanted to breed my Male Lemonblast this season, but he's refused food for the past month, so I have chosen not to.

I have seen great locks between my Female Normal x Male Pastel Yellowbelly.
http://i58.tinypic.com/24x2jxd.jpg

And my Female Black Pastel x Male Pastel Yellowbelly.
http://i59.tinypic.com/242v05x.jpg

Two weeks after the pairing between the Female Normal x Male Pastel Yellowbelly, I am seeing signs of ovulation. She is keeping to the cooler ends of the tub, Wrapping around and going in the water bowl. For the past 2 days I have seen her keeping the mid part of her body completely straight; and from the mid section to the tail, she has been belly up.
http://i57.tinypic.com/fblv2v.jpg

The girl that is staying on the cold side is likely growing follicles and laying belly up or on her side is just her way of thermoregulating her body. Is she glowing yet? Thats usually the best indicator that an ovulation is imminent. She will go through a pretty dramatic color change before she ovulates. Right now our normal girl is brighter then our fire who just shed a couple weeks ago and her head looks almost as blushed as a Pastel. The lower third of her body is pretty swollen but not a full Ovy yet. I expect she will go this weekend or by Monday latest. When your girl goes there will be no mistaking it because it will look like she swallowed a small football. Even her back will be higher then the rest of her body. It takes a lot patience to get through your first breeding season but man is it exciting when that first head pips. Best of luck to you this season.

Congrats on the locks! What you're seeing now are signs that may lead up to ovulation - not necessarily guaranteed ovulation.

If you haven't seen it already, check out this awesome site that give a picture tour of pretty much the entire breeding process: http://ballpython.ca/gallery/breeding/

Good luck! :D

Thank you both for your responses and information. The website is great! I've read that article before, but I'm going to print it and put it in my binder.

As for signs, She is keeping the the cool end, and I've seen her keeping the mid portion of her body straight instead of her usual coil in the hide. Also I have seen her every morning for the past few days with more than half of her body upside down (Belly Up.) No building yet, and I'd have to take a look tonight to see if there is glowing.

Was the one pairing good enough, or would you suggest to keep putting them together to play it safe?

Also I have read and seen many other breeders who already have their babies for end of last year. I feel like I may be late in the season. Is January too late to be breeding?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tsanford

Was the one pairing good enough, or would you suggest to keep putting them together to play it safe?

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Only she will be able to tell you that so I'd recommend continuing pairing. There's no sure-fire "pair x amount of times for guaranteed success" magic formula.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tsanford

Also I have read and seen many other breeders who already have their babies for end of last year. I feel like I may be late in the season. Is January too late to be breeding?

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You're definitely not too late. Many breeders don't even have a breeding season anymore. Those that do will continue to pair for at least another several months.

Yes if it were me I would continue to breed until u see ovulation but usually it take more than 1 pairing and 2'weeks time to do so. The more times you breed the better chance you will have. I would suggestpairing her at least one time per month or one time pershed cycle. And once her follicles start to increase in size or about the size of a quarter or golf ball I personally like to pair a little more often to ensure the follicles will be fertilized by the ,ales sperm. Good luck and keep it up. One way you can tell that she is ovulating is the tail suck and another way to tell she has already ovulated is you just keep pair and most the time the females won't lock after ovulation

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Yes if it were me I would continue to breed until u see ovulation but usually it take more than 1 pairing and 2'weeks time to do so. The more times you breed the better chance you will have. I would suggestpairing her at least one time per month or one time pershed cycle. And once her follicles start to increase in size or about the size of a quarter or golf ball I personally like to pair a little more often to ensure the follicles will be fertilized by the ,ales sperm. Good luck and keep it up. One way you can tell that she is ovulating is the tail suck and another way to tell she has already ovulated is you just keep pair and most the time the females won't lock after ovulation

My girl just started ovulating this weekend. It is not as dramatic as some I have seen but it is apparent. First, it's all in the last third of her body. Also, you can see her tail area is deflated looking and the bulging is much larger than the body above it which should actually be the largest section of her body. Last, when you touch the area it feels tight and bloated almost like it is stretched to the max (which it likely is).

[IMG]http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0739dd8a.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6c3eac4d.jpg[/IMG]

Hope that helps.

You need to remove "Ovulation" from the title. It will be a visual "no-brainer" when it happens!;)
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...dovulating.jpg

I see an ovulation, just not the best picture of one.