So confused I don't know what to ask

I am reading as much as I can and looking at all the photos but every time I think I see an "indicator" I see something that contradicts it.

Hot/Cold
Eating
Locking
Glowing
Shedding
Coiling
Inverted
Soaking
Building
Ovulating

It is really starting to get to me. At this point all I can do is get the incubator and egg boxes ready and wait for it to happen...or not.

Welcome to the exciting world of ball python breeding.....lol

I know the feeling. Being new at bp breeding it can be frustrating, but it is part of the game....

Ovulation is hard to miss. As long as you catch that happen, you'll have a pretty good idea of when eggs are coming. As for the rest of it, here's a great step by step...

http://www.ballpython.ca/gallery/breeding.html

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

I am reading as much as I can and looking at all the photos but every time I think I see an "indicator" I see something that contradicts it.

Hot/Cold
Eating
Locking
Glowing
Shedding
Coiling
Inverted
Soaking
Building
Ovulating

It is really starting to get to me. At this point all I can do is get the incubator and egg boxes ready and wait for it to happen...or not.

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HEHEHEHEHEHEHE,, aint it fun!:banana:
spooky

Here are the only things I pay attention to: locks (also even that I sometimes never witness and still get a clutch) glow, built, ovulation and pre-lay shed.

Just remember no question is a dumb question and if you knew all the answers it wouldnt be much fun.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Here are the only things I pay attention to: locks (also even that I sometimes never witness and still get a clutch) glow, built, ovulation and pre-lay shed.

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Are they still locking during glowing and building?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

Are they still locking during glowing and building?

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Yep, they only quit locking after the female ovulates.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

Are they still locking during glowing and building?

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Absolutely :gj:

What about this? I have one female that looks like she is thinner than she was several weeks ago. The others still look fat.

Is there a point where the female is big and rock hard but then relaxes and get soft.

I feel you, this is our first season breeding as well. We have three girls we are trying with, and I am watching them all the time.....Good luck!

Here's another confusing indicator.

Every time I put this male in with the female they lock almost immediately and stay locked for 12-24 hours. I put him in this morning and checked later - no lock. Does that mean anything?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

Here's another confusing indicator.

Every time I put this male in with the female they lock almost immediately and stay locked for 12-24 hours. I put him in this morning and checked later - no lock. Does that mean anything?

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No. Sometimes they just wont lock right away. It it keeps happening over and over then maybe something might be up. You wont always catch a lock either, sometimes they lock in the middle of the night and are done by morning.

I know the feeling.....first season here too.
I think I "see" some of my girls getting fat just because I want to see it.
This hobby will sure make you question your sanity.:rolleye2:

Relax and enjoy yourself. If you are not sure where they are as far as breeding cycle then to be safe count down 30 days after every shed( of the girls you think maybe gravid) as it was the pre-lay shed and check for eggs. That way you are not taken by surprise;)

We can give you all of our tips but without your own personal experience it seems like a lot of info. My best advice is get to know your females behaviors, colors, eating habits and when they suddenly change this could be a sign they are beginning to cycle. Once you get to know a females breeding cycle behaviors it becomes easier to detect in the future. I have many pictures of ovulating females because I know their specific breeding behaviors and it becomes obvious to me when the OV is coming:snake:

The OV is the most important breeding sign you could ask for aside from a clutch of eggs:gj:

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

Relax and enjoy yourself. If you are not sure where they are as far as breeding cycle then to be safe count down 30 days after every shed( of the girls you think maybe gravid) as it was the pre-lay shed and check for eggs. That way you are not taken by surprise;)

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What about my granite that is shedding every 3 to 4 weeks.:O
She is starting to look bloated:please:

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Is there a point where the female is big and rock hard but then relaxes and get soft.[/QUOTE]

Not sure about your females, but I've seen this "issue" before! :)

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

What about my granite that is shedding every 3 to 4 weeks.:O
She is starting to look bloated:please:

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Sounds like building, this is good. Patience is one of the hardest skills you will learn breeding balls and I am not kidding:please: