Appropriate Size for Ball Pythons to Breed

Hey Guys, Im going to start of breeding my ball pythons but just to be 100% they will be at appropriate size I would like to know what size you guys think is correct to breed both male and female Ball Pythons (example= 800 grams). Also does it matter on their age or just the size? Thanks alot guys = )

My understanding is you want females to be at least 1200, though some may think slightly more or less is acceptable. Males can be smaller. I have heard of males breeding as young as one year of age.

(We have decided we won't breed anything under 1800 for females... undecided on males)

Typically the female needs to be 3 years and 1500 grams, and the male can breed young, but you're more likely to get him to breed over a year of age. However, the age of the female is very important; she may not be sexually developed enough to carry offspring at less than three years of age, and to become gravid before then could cause her health problems and an increased risk of egg binding. For a new breeder, it's my understanding that it's better to be more conservative until you've got a few seasons under your belt and can read the animals before attempting anything more daring.

Just to add on the male side of things. Males have bred anywhere from 350g and up, but generally males wont breed until around a year, some can go at 6 months, but generally later.

Females have started to breed between 1200g and 1500g, but generally you want them larger, and they usually begin to breed between their 2nd to 3rd winter and most would say wait til the 3rd winter. :gj:

If I've got a female in her 3rd winter, the LOWEST weight I'll personally breed her is 1500 grams. I would prefer she's 2000, but that's just me.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

If I've got a female in her 3rd winter, the LOWEST weight I'll personally breed her is 1500 grams. I would prefer she's 2000, but that's just me.

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I'm with Robin I'd like to let all my girls get to that 2000+/- gram range. But if you just find that you can't wait 1200-1500 is a good safe beginner range to start trying to breed at. :D

I beleive that most people suggest females to be at least 1500 grams and males 800 grams, but I like to try my females at 1200 grams and my males at around 500 grams.

Good luck.

I prefer the females up towards 2000g, and I also like to get the males to around 1000g.

I know a lot of people use males alot smaller, but they can go off their food for a while and I dont like em getting too skinny.:)

Females need to be a minimum of 1500 for me. It depends on how girthy (is that a word?) they are as well. They need to be stocky looking for me to consider it.