breeding late and didnt cool

So I had plans to breed my het ghosts and plans on breeding my mojo to my pastel. But the time when people would normally cool I didn't. I found out something horrible n personal. I went through a pretty hard time in my life, I have never felt so much hurt in my life, it was so bad I was even considering selling off my snakes, rats and racks. I just couldn't find any happiness in anything in my life. It's personal so that's all I'm willing to share about that but...

Long story short, I'm feeling so much better and not angry at the world, so the other night I paired the hets and my mojo n pastel. Both pairs locked immediately. But then I got thinking, I don't even know if they will produce anything this late in the season and I've heard some people don't cool their snakes when they breed them.

Anyone have any input as to if my chances are good here? Should I keep introducing them or just wait til next season? The one and only time I bred before I cooled and it went like clockwork, clutch of 8 all hatched. Just hoping something good can come my way after about 5 months of sheer heart ache.

Thanks,
Filly

If they're locking--they can go. :)

(I stopped cooling after the first two years, and there was 0 difference in fertility...but I didn't get anymore RIs. Ball pythons don't need to be cooled, and, I dare say, don't like to be cooled).

I'm glad things are looking up for you. The snakes know what they're doing--if the females weren't interested in breeding, they wouldn't be locking. :)

Thank you so much Winged Wolf for your fast reply and kind words.
Tails crossed for some ghosts, a male mojo, and a pastave!

I jus got a lock for the first time ever yesterday as well and I have the same questions. We should keep each other posted on progress because we are both late bloomers so to speak. lol. Glad to hear you are feeling better. Good luck with the odds gods. Im not looking for anything special. My pairing was normal female to spider male. hopeing for a female spider!

I never cool, and I don't start pairing until January-March.

I usually get eggs ~August.

No worries!! :)

I only cool my first group of girls in october and really i dont stay on top of it. I usually jack the heat back up after they start lockin. My winter group, spring group and summer group dont cool at all. Your odds are just as good as any other. Little tip. If a storm is coming, crack a window and pair em up. They will be doing some snaky panky for sure

It's definitely never too late to pair them up. I also stopped cooling after our first season with out a problem. You can try palpating your girls to see if they have follicles but the fact that they locked up right away is a pretty good sign. :) Good luck and I'm glad you're feeling better :).

I dont get any more or less eggs if i cool them so i stopped doing it. And im still pairing. I just put my little bumblebee male with my large female. I ran her thru a couple guys so i have high hopes. Good luck and if they lock u should be golden.

Thank you all for your replies; the info and kind words really helped. I'm not the greatest at feeling for follicles, haven't had much practice. But I thought I felt something in both of them.

I'm just hoping their follicles are a decent size cuz I hate waiting and if I have to wait til Aug... That's gonna be like a kid waiting for Christmas lol.

Interloc I added you as a friend so we can keep each other updated if you'd like.

Again thanks everyone, I'm glad to know I didn't miss my window this season.

Filly

Ive talked to other people who have 3 breeding groups setup: fall, spring, and summer so they can breed year round... So im pretty sure youre ok to pair them up whenever you want.

Actually im fairly certain that snake labwas the one i was talking to about this lol...?

Glad to hear youre doing better!

Yea i do a yearly rotation by groups and it works fine. Just utilize the weather fronts to your advantage it really helps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

If they're locking--they can go. :)

(I stopped cooling after the first two years, and there was 0 difference in fertility...but I didn't get anymore RIs. Ball pythons don't need to be cooled, and, I dare say, don't like to be cooled).

I'm glad things are looking up for you. The snakes know what they're doing--if the females weren't interested in breeding, they wouldn't be locking. :)

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What do you keep your ambient temps at? Do you use a hot spot the whole time or turn it off for a while?

The heat tape is ALWAYS at 90F. The bin temperatures may fluctuate, as our current home has insulation like a Chihuahua has a fur coat. We do our best to keep the room temperature between 70 and 80, and generally succeed...though usually hit both extremes as the furnace kicks on. :P
The snakes seem to be dealing with that ok, though. So, in their bin, the cool side temperatures are probably 75-80 depending. But, that's year-round.

Right now, I have two females opaque and soaking, and suspect this is their pre-lay shed, as they've been off food for a while, and have started refusing the males.
My other females are all still locking up. Many are glowing.

Lol @ like a Chihuahua has a fur coat

Too funny

Quote:

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Originally Posted by filly77

Thank you all for your replies; the info and kind words really helped. I'm not the greatest at feeling for follicles, haven't had much practice. But I thought I felt something in both of them.

I'm just hoping their follicles are a decent size cuz I hate waiting and if I have to wait til Aug... That's gonna be like a kid waiting for Christmas lol.

Interloc I added you as a friend so we can keep each other updated if you'd like.

Again thanks everyone, I'm glad to know I didn't miss my window this season.

Filly

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How exactly do you feel for follicles?

I dont cool at all. I have some females that are ovulating now but I also have some females that were ultra sounded and are developing much slower than the other females. Its all about when they are ready....keep pairing them up and good luck on a great season!