What to expect with potentially gravid female

I have a female that I obtained about a month ago. She was with another adult female and an adult male in a breeder tank. Before I purchased her, she was seen locking up with the male several times (a lot, actually). The thing is, no one knows which one was locking up, my girl, or the other one (purchased by my pops-in-law).

The thing is, his snake, the other lady, has eaten twice already and is around 1000g. My lady started out at about 1540g. Since then, she has not eaten. She has lost about 90g, but still looks healthy and is moving and loving life. I haven't seen any signs of ovulation, or follicles, or eggs or anything. No pre-lay shed (yet) or any other really clear signs.

I talked to Rusty Davis and he says he's seen some weird things, like ladies not ovulating 'til October and other strange things when they conceived in Jan/Feb...

I'm just wondering, this is my first time breeding and I bet I got a good one, haha. What can I do to really tell? She's still on low temps to foster a reaction, if it hasn't happened already...just wondering. Thanks for any advice!

Dane

ok, i need to calm down a bit. I just popped "her"...yeah...you know where this is going. Sperm plugs? two little female parts? doubt it. I have a male on my hands...

Females can discharge what looks like sperm plugs. I made that mistake one time and didn't buy the snake. Rabernet probbed the snake and it was a female. She has the snake now and it is 100% female.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mxrider42

Females can discharge what looks like sperm plugs. I made that mistake one time and didn't buy the snake. Rabernet probbed the snake and it was a female. She has the snake now and it is 100% female.

---

:wuv:

Maybe I'll take a pic and see...SHIM is currently residing with one of my newly acquired ladies...maybe that will help me tell...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Danegerous

Maybe I'll take a pic and see...SHIM is currently residing with one of my newly acquired ladies...maybe that will help me tell...

---

You mean you put a newly acquired snake with your established one without a 90 days quarantine??? :O

Yes, it is possible for females to produce something that really resembles a sperm plug. This came from a girl of mine, and since she laid eggs I'm pretty sure she's still a girl. (although it did cause a bit of panic on my part :oops: )

If you popped you want to look for the hemipenes to confirm the sex.

Also I'm a firm believer in quarantining. Even animals that come from very trusted sources go through QT in my house. (~3 months for me, but I'd recommend at least a month!)

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...plug_thumb.jpg

I have had these females on lockdown at my father in law's house, so they are newly acquired, but not newly discovered, if that makes sense. I just got the lady home today to my place, but she's no stranger to me...hope that clarifies, haha.

My father and I are doing our projects together, so, all of our stuff is all of our stuff. That sort of thing.

ok, to further weirden this story, I sold the male. I went to pick up the other snake that the seller had that was definitely a female (he had 2 females and a male originally. I popped the other one, female. Bought this female, turned out to be a male, then went back and bought the other one for a sure female). So, I got home and popped this new female to be sure...male.

So, I actually sold the female...Now I really have the male for sure. The cool thing is, the dude I sold HER to will swap me for the new male, he wanted a male anyway, haha...oh boy the drama!

what a strange thread!!