First Attempt At Breeding Underway!

Well... After much consideration and waiting I have decided to go ahead and put my Mojave boy (5 or 6 year old proven) in with my Lesser girl (3 year old virgin) today. The Mojave boy has been eating like a champ and weighed in today at around 2,400 grams. The Lesser girl has been on a hunger strike for about 2 months, but she still weighed in today at around 1,800 grams. I really wanted to get at least a couple good feedings in her before I put them together, but a breeder I spoke with at a reptile expo this past Sunday told me I should go ahead and put him in with her. She has been very active and hanging around the front of her tub a lot like she's looking for something a lot ever since she has been on her hunger strike and I have seen her wrapping her water dish as well. So, I have a feeling that she has reached that point of sexual maturity i've read about, where they stop eating and is ready to breed and maybe that's why she hasn't been eating? What do you guys think? I have been trying to palpate her for follicles periodically, but I can't say for certain one way or the other if she has follicles. Sometimes I could swear I feel them, but on the next pass I don't. I'm a nOOb... lol So, i'm just going to let nature take it's course and see what happens. With some luck, maybe i'll have some BELs within a few months... :)

How long would you guys recommend leaving him in with her before giving them a break?

I do 3 days together unless I see a lock. Then separate. She will need to be paired once a month if you see a lock twice if you don't. And 2400g is a very big male. Hopefully he locks for you

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Originally Posted by StillBP

I do 3 days together unless I see a lock. Then separate. She will need to be paired once a month if you see a lock twice if you don't. And 2400g is a very big male. Hopefully he locks for you

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Thanks, StillBP. Yes, he is a big old man... lol I've never measured him, but he is easily up around 6'... I'm just hoping he is still as horny as I am at my old age! lol He has been very active and hanging around the front of his tub a lot, too. So, I am hopeful. I'm picking up a 2015 850 gram Mystic girl tonight that i'll have to finish growing up for him. So, I also hope he still has lots of stamina (like me) as well! lol

Man and I thought my jigsaw was big. He's 1800g. I try to keep my males around the 1000-1200g range

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Here are some photos I took of him a couple of months (and several feedings) ago:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ighlight=edger

I guess 6' was exaggerating a bit. But, he is definitely 5 + feet.

Here are some photos of the Lesser girl:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...ighlight=cindy

On the norm, how long does it usually take these guys to lock if they're going to? I haven't noticed him courting her or anything yet. Today they are sitting at opposite ends of the tub so far. They seem to be not speaking to each other... lol

He is nice. And just to correct a comment made in that older thread there are now 4 shows in the Pittsburgh area not 3. I host a show in Indiana PA maybe you should stop by and say hello. We are having a show 8/26

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Originally Posted by Aedryan Methyus

On the norm, how long does it usually take these guys to lock if they're going to? I haven't noticed him courting her or anything yet. Today they are sitting at opposite ends of the tub so far. They seem to be not speaking to each other... lol

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It can be fast or not at all
Since this is your only pair after 3 days with no lock take him out and give him a full 14 days rest. Then back in. He will eventually lock.

Oh, wow... I just now noticed that you are in Pittsburgh, too! Very cool! We'll have to get together and show each other our collections one of these days... :)

I finally witnessed these two locked up last night. They aren't still locked up today, so should I take the male out for a few days again or leave him in with her?