So, been breeding...

They locked up successfully a few times. Left them over night, sometimes for most of the next day as well. One's a regular Ball Python, the other has the Spider genetic. Basically, my question is this. They were fine for a couple weeks. Put them together probably ten times total but the last three times we've tried to put them together they both freak out. Flailing around the tank and just going bananas. What's different now to when they cuddled up and did it the first almost dozen times? Is this a sign of pregnancy like maybe it's hormones or something? Is he just done with that booty? What's going on?

Are you sure about the sexes?

Yes. The regular is a female, the spider is a male.

You only need to pair them up once a month. If the female has ovulated, then there is no need to pair them any more, as the female will reject him. (At least this is all stuff I have researched, I haven’t bred yet)

I’m not sure why your animals would act that way other than if you put two males together as pit mentioned. If you witnessed locks then we know that is not the case so there is some other reason stressing them. She could of ovulated already and wants nothing to do with him but in my small amount of experience, once they ovulate they pretty much just ignore the male, I have not seen them get aggravated as it sounds like your describing which is what can happen introducing two males.

Off topic but what is your intention of breeding a normal and a spider? If you just want more pets, then I can see it being ok but if you don’t intend to keep the offspring I highly suggest you rethink this pairing. They have almost no value and the market is already flooded with low dollar morphs. You may have a hard time finding them homes even if you are giving them away. If you are serious about breeding I would recommend at the very least getting a 3 morph combo male to go to your normal female.

Good luck with whatever you decide, breeding is a great experience, I just hate seeing so many low dollar animals being produced with no home to go to. I’m just trying to save you from being stuck with a bunch of normals and spiders that you don’t want for yourself.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rufretic

I’m not sure why your animals would act that way other than if you put two males together as pit mentioned. If you witnessed locks then we know that is not the case so there is some other reason stressing them.

---

Not necessarily true. Two males will lock as well - it's a dominance thing. Two females will not.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rufretic

If you witnessed locks then we know that is not the case so there is some other reason stressing them.

---

Uhmmmm a dominant male will lock the weaker just as many male animals will do. Its a sign of superiority.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Uhmmmm a dominant male will lock the weaker just as many male animals will do. Its a sign of superiority.

---

I stand corrected, that’s new to me but like I said, I only have a small amount of experience. Always glad to learn new info, so thank you and Eric.

Since I do not know you or your level of experience the first thing I would do is have both animals re-sex by another party. Again male will lock until one day they decide their won't anymore (been there done that)

I have seen male and female trashing in the cage upon introduction as if two males were put with each others but it is rare I have only seen it once in my collection over the last decade and I have pair a few during that time.

Female that are gravid (have ovulated) will no longer lock but this does not affect their behavior.