breeding mystery

I have a question I need help figuring out.
I rescued a ball python from a person that could no longer keep her.
I was told she was a chocolate (doesnt look it to me) but that doesnt matter.
Heres the think I picked her up in early september and put her In quarintine to make sure she ate and that there wa s nothing wrong with her.
She ate almost imediately and has eaten very 7 days until last week.
When I opened the tube to try and feed her this week she was wrapped around four eggs.
Now my problem is is it possible for her to have been witj a male before I got her and for her to still be gravid without seeing a male since september.
I nevered pair her since I had her (and the person I got her from claims he never paired her) whicj I dont believe.
But is it possible for her to become gravid after that amont of time with out a male present.
I am assuming she was paired before I got her, when and with what I am not sure.
Only thing I am sure about is that she was alone and in quarantine since september.
Well one thing for sure I can't wait to see what hatches out.
Will post pics when I get off work.

Females can retain sperm for a few years. Lucky you-- 5 for the price of 1!

I thought about that too.
But I didn't think they could impregnate themselves without a male around to start the process.
Thanks for the input (now I am really curious)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by buddha1200

I thought about that too.
But I didn't think they could impregnate themselves without a male around to start the process.
Thanks for the input (now I am really curious)

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That's the joy of retaining sperm; it allows the female to fertilize when there aren't males present. So she was paired some time ago by a previous owner.
It'll be exciting to see what comes out of those eggs!

Yep that is totally possible! And kind of awesome! Hopefully there are some awesome babies in those eggs. Congrats!

I had heard before that females can retain sperm for up to a year. Just one breeding season, but not for 4-5 years. WOW. Let us know how that goes.

Definitely following this post...I wanna see what hatches out in 55-60 days

Please update in this thread when the time comes!

I can't wait either.
Not sure exactly what day she laid them.
She ate up until last week, when she didn't eat last saturday I left her slone until I was going to feed her yesterday.thats when I noticed the eggs.
I candled them and they have veins so all I can do now is wait and hope for the best.
The wait is going to kill me.

i picked up a female from a expo last december and she was super light colored and i basically rescued her also cause the guy i got her from didnt even know anything about her and she also has scars all up and down her back she didn't eat one time since i had her and i was confused cause i had a thought that maybe she was prego but she wasn't very big she didn't look like she was building at all she had no sheds since i had her either and one day i looked in at her and she was huge was def a ovy but then she looked like she absorbed the eggs i completely did not expect any eggs at all till this month to next month so i did not have my incubator ready and of corse i look in and there was 5 eggs she was coiled around so i got some mystery eggs too!! she's a very pretty girl and she has a clear belly with dark het pied markers all down each side of her belly I'm hoping i got lucky prob not but oh well mystery eggs are exciting they should be hatching around april 1st or so I'm so excited!

Well to further add to the mystery they pip today at day 45.
I am assuming I miss counted because I wasn't sure i f the exact date she laid (might be a week off on my count).
All 4 have pipped and one looks very promising.
Will post pics when I get off work.

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps067a986e.jpg
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps65e417c1.jpg
the secound one is the interesting one.

Looking good!! Can't wait to see them out of the egg.

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one has its head out as i type lets see how long before it comes out.

Nice, let's see them out of the eggs! :D

Holy awesome surprise, Batman!!!!!

Wow, that's a cool looking baby! Hope they're all healthy. Now comes the LONGEST wait, waiting for them to get out of the egg... That's always the toughest part for me. Ugh...so much waiting, lol!

congrats!

Looks like you may have a mojave in that second pic.

Really cool stuff!! Can't wait to see them out of the eggs!!

Congrats! This is pretty exciting! :gj:

Wow, I missed this thread! Awesome to read the mystery then see the babies! Super excited for you!

Congrats! I think I see a little mojave! Nice!

Yea the wait is killing me.

all of them have pipped three normals(one has nice bushing from what i can tell) and one mojave looking one (see for sure when they come out) check on them in the morning when i get off work

ok all out of the eggs.
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps73d372a4.jpg
the mojave(?)
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps5af699a6.jpg
another shot
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...psbbd52a46.jpg
what you all think?

Cool granitey look to them! Nice mojo, if it's mojo. Male or female?

Is there no way you can do any investigation with the previous owner to find out what may have been paired with her?

I like the look of them all. they're cool. Congrats!

the mother (was sold to me as a chocolate)i dont think it is but i needed another normal female in my collection so i bought it anyway.
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps2bf89b3f.jpg

Can you take a belly pic of mom?

just left for work but when i get home i will take a belly shot of the mother.
all of the babies have clear stomachs will post pics of them also,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ClarkT

Cool granitey look to them! Nice mojo, if it's mojo. Male or female?

Is there no way you can do any investigation with the previous owner to find out what may have been paired with her?

I like the look of them all. they're cool. Congrats!

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All females i will check again after they shed to make sure.

I dont know much when it comes to chocolates but the pics I have seen of chocolate mojos look a lot like your little mojo there. maybe moms just an ugly chocolate???

The "normal" looking ones have really small black spots in the aliens. I am not an expert on chocolates but I think you ay have something cool going on.

Did you have any incubation issues by chance? I only ask because that seems to be the #1 reason for some odd patterns and colors.

Either way I think they all look really neat.

No incubation issues.
Chocolate mojave (interesting got to look into that)
I am really liking one of the normals can't wait til they shed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by liv

That's the joy of retaining sperm; it allows the female to fertilize when there aren't males present. So she was paired some time ago by a previous owner.
It'll be exciting to see what comes out of those eggs!

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i am DYING over here at "thats the joy of retaining sperm!" LOOOOOL

all babies have shed will post pics in the morning.

first normal(?)
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps9be646f2.jpg
secound normal(?)
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps0451c49f.jpg
Third Normal(?)
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps61241a86.jpg
and the real mystery i have had several id's as mojave and several as chocolate mojave(what you guys think)
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps2a8e4145.jpg
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...psb59da6e0.jpg

all thier bellies are clear will post belly shots when i get a chance.

Look at those dark eyes on that lil mojave! Im putting money on that one being a chocolate mojave. Its blushing is more burgundy than green.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BHReptiles

Congrats! I think I see a little mojave! Nice!

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Me too! That is such an awesome awesome surprise! You are one LUCKY person!

And more than a Mojave ...:gj:

I'm really digging that first normal? I LOVE the intense flames.

That chocolate mojave or whatever it is....AWESOME! And I like that second "normal". Wish I knew more about chocolates. You got off awesome in that deal! If you don't want to keep that mojo you can send her to me ;)

WOW I am honestly super-jealous. I couldn't even imagine the excitement over this surprise group!! Definitely some cool things happening!!

I like the first normal also.
And i have to research chocolates alittle more myself but i do believe it to be a chocolate mojave.
As for the normals i love their flames and alien heads might have to hold them awhile to see how they develope.

The more I look at chocolate mojos the more I am willing to bet that one is indeed a chocolate mojo. I just have no experience with chocolates and I don't see a lot posted about them so it's hard to really say. It's a very pretty snake. Congrats!

Yeah, i don't think mom is a normal! Congrats on your surprise clutch

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I think at least the first normal might be a chocolate, too.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/26/y5y9yga3.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/26/u4u7ytyh.jpg
Here is a bhb chocolate for comparison.
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#1 and #2 I believe are definitely chocolates. Possibly #3 too but its hard to tell from the pics.
Congrats! You scored big time!
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all of them have clear stomachs.
not sure if they are chocolates but they do look alittle chocolate.
will get better picks tomorrow.(they all ate today)

a few more shots.
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...psde7ccc25.jpg
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps59778dc0.jpg
normal?
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps9db9046d.jpg
normal?
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...psf620975a.jpg
?
http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps4892413a.jpg

well the more i research chocolates (not to much info out there)i believe that is a chocolate mojo,but i am still on the fence about the others.
I am leaning towards them being chocolate(but i am sure i am not that lucky)got to find someone more experienced in chocolates to let them take a look.
thanks guys for the comparison shots (although i think that made it alittle harder to tell with their stomachs)but i do appreciate the assistance.
Anyone with chocolate experience please take a look. Thanks

Email pics over to Brian at BHB. He could probably help you identify them.