Laying Inverted?

I read somewhere that this means that my females might be gravid. Does this hold any truth? I will try and get some pictures up here soon.

I'm sorry if this question was already asked somewhere I tried to search but didn't find anything.

Usually they start laying inverted right before they ovulate, its really not a for sure sign for gravid as some females and even males just like laying inverted. If she ovulates than thats a sign shes gravid. just keep an eye out for ovulation

Laying inverted is usually a good sign, but it doesn't always mean eggs either. I've had males lay inverted after a big meal. It's just a way for them to feel more comfortable if they've got something weighing them down in their bellies.

mine NEVER did it, and she is now- I'd be shocked if she wasn't gravid!

What does ovulation look like? Both my females have been in the same cage with their male since April when we got them.

As you can probably tell I'm very new to this, and still learning what I need to know.

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Originally Posted by OgleRpets

What does ovulation look like? Both my females have been in the same cage with their male since April when we got them.

As you can probably tell I'm very new to this, and still learning what I need to know.

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Ovulation is pretty obvious when you see it. Their back third will blow up and look like they've swallowed their biggest meal ever except that it's further back then their belly. However it usually only lasts for about a day and if you don't check regularly you can miss it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OgleRpets

What does ovulation look like? Both my females have been in the same cage with their male since April when we got them.

As you can probably tell I'm very new to this, and still learning what I need to know.

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If you notice that she does ovulate you might need to start learning very quickly and set up that incubator. :) ask alot of questions and we will guide you through everything. They need there own enclosure too, I suggest a rack system if your gonna be breeding.

How big are they, both the male and females? and do you have all three of them together? If you are breeding the male should only be in the cage with the female on a 3 day on 3 day off schedule. If you are not breeding, it is unsafe for them to live together. They need their own seperate tanks/tubs.

Hi,

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Originally Posted by OgleRpets

What does ovulation look like?

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I grabbed some pics of two of mine ovulating this year;

http://satanswombat.googlepages.com/...ng09girls8.jpg

http://satanswombat.googlepages.com/cleostillfat1.jpg


dr del

Cuddles is 5 feet and 1960 grams, Serenity is 4 feet and 1600 grams, Mr. Wiggles is 4 feet and 1910 grams. They have been sharing a 7 foot by 2 foot by 2 foot enclosure.

Neither of my females have ovulated that I have seen.

Why is it unsafe for them to live together?

I have a hovabator with eggs in it currently from my bearded dragons. But plan on purchasing another if I was to have ball python eggs.

My kenyans are much easier, we had our first clutch in May but since they give live birth we didn't need an incubator.

Thank you so much everyone for helping me, I want to do what is best for my snakes.

Are you 100 percent positive on there sexes? It stresses ball pythons out to live together, you might not notice it and they might not display any weird behavior to you, they might seem like there cuddling but they truely dont like being together and require there own enclosures. If one of them gets sick ALL of them get sick. Its just better all around to seperate them.

Well, at least they are of a good breeding weight. A 7 ft. cage is way too big for a ball python. They like tight spaces. A 20 gal long is perfect for one full grown. Balls are solitary creatures. If one becomes dominant over the others, they may stop eating. Or the dominant one gets the best hides (if you even have hides for them) while the others aren't thermo regulating. And they have to thermo regulate for proper digestion (and other reasons). If the male is breeding non-stop it can wear him out, and is unhealthy for them.

I'm sure others here will give their reasons. All in all, it is very unhealthy for them. I'm sorry if I'm being rude, but you don't seem like you are knowledgeable to be raising ball python babies. I'm looking in the best interest of the snakes. You should read up on some care sheets here, and give them the best possible care.

I would split that tank in half with a divider, with one snake on each side. Then maybe get a 42 at tub for the other one. You could even get a big heat pad and put in the center of the big enclosure. It would so much healthier for the snakes. And they would be happy.

What are their temps/humidity? They need at least 50%. Are you able to keep that in such a big enclosure?

PM some of the mods around here if you have any questions, they are really great!

Yes, they have been probed.

I think you should learn more about the snakes first before you really start worrying about breeding. not to be rude or anything but hatching ball python eggs is not an easy process and has to be pretty much error free with perfect conditions. You should seperate them immediately and read some caresheets.

They keep a temp at 80 - 85 on their cool side and 90-98 on their warm side. The humidity in their cage stays between 55-60.

Oh. Ok. Just making sure. Your husbandry sounds really good, 98 is a little too warm, but they need to be seperated. Do you have enough hides for all of them?

Wow, I didn't expect to be attacked. I just asked a simple question because I saw my bps laying inverted and immediately wanted to know why. I looked online and the only things I could find about it were that they were gravid.

If you read I'm not actively trying to breed my snakes. When I bought them, the breeder that sold them to me told me to keep them together.

I came here for help not to be ridiculed for being ignorant. I want to learn. Ball Pythons are new for me. I've read all the care sheets about ball pythons that I have found. My younger ball pythons are all in their own 20 longs.

My pets are first and foremost pets, so any suggestions would be great, but please don't treat me like I am ignorant.

There are 3 hides in there and normally they all use their own but have been known to share every once in a while.

Nobody is attacking you, simply giving you very helpful suggestions that is in the best interest of the snakes.

I turned down the thermostat a little bit that should keep it between 90 - 95 on their warn side.

I'm sorry, it's just the man that I bought them from told me to keep them together because they had been together for years. He had kept them in a 55 gallon. They are all around 3 - 4 years old.

I'm trying to learn as much as I can about them.

And it really is hard to get the feel of what others are saying through typing. ( I hope that made sense)

Yes I know what you mean, you cant display emotions on a computer screen so firm instructions could come off as mean and hurtful. I really dont know what the breeder was thinking but ball pythons are not supposed to co-inhabit a cage.
They really need there own cage to be completely happy and healthy. Im really suprised you havent had any problems in the past? Have they ever Stopped eating for periods of time? ever been sick?

I've only had them since April, I paid $100 for the trio of them. I took them to the vet that week and got them completely checked out and probed. The guy I had gotten them from said they had been popped but I wanted to make sure. (you have to be able to name them properly)

Since April they have eaten every time offered (every Friday) unless completely blue.

They are perfectly healthy as of today. They eat asf or rats.

Per suggestions I will be going to get some new 20 gal longs tomorrow. Can't do much at 12:26 am.

That is completly understandable, it is to late to be going late night herp shopping :D. If you dont want to shell out the money to get them glass aquariums and want a habitat that will keep there humidity perfect you should consider tubs. 42 qts would be the perfect size for them.
Tubs are great but not very pleasing for the eye, so if your more worried about looking at them than a tank is pretty much the only choice, if you do think in the future your gonna breed them than the tubs would make alot more sense, tanks can get very expensive.

My husband has been trying to get me to go to a rack system since we acquired over 3 bps. I may actually take him up on it since it would be a lot cheaper. Then he will want to change all our snakes over to tubs . . . Then what do I do with all my cages???

I guess, the rats, mice, and asfs could have them . . .

Something new to think about . . . but for now I am going to bed. Thank you so much every one for helping me.