Gravid and feeding

[Reddog]

Has any of you ever had a female that was gravid but kept feeding. I have a female that I think is close to laying but I must have missed all the signs....I was cleaning tubs and noticed her laying inverted and swelled. She has not refused a meal at all but Im almost sure she is about to lay.....either way Im gonna hold off feeding her any more until I know for sure.

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[satomi325]

I'll say that most females go off feed when gravid. But I've heard of a few individuals who stay on feed during the entire breeding process.

Can you palpate any eggs?

[Wicked Constrictors]

i have a female that still eats and when i palpate i can feel 5 eggs the size of a quarter.

[rubenjames]

do females only lay inverted when gravid or will they do this after a meal?

[aalomon]

Any ball python can lay inverted. Ive had my males do it just to freak me out.

[snakesRkewl]

Most of the time they don't lay inverted until after gravid, but some females don't read the rule book very well...

[rubenjames]

so is it after being gravid or while gravid?

[majorleaguereptiles]

Typically I notice females laying inverted either while gravid, or with large follicles after a meal. I believe it's really just a comfort thing. As the pressure builds inside them, their skeletons only have openings on their belly, therefore laying inverted would help decrease pressure allowing the weight of the snake to lay on it's skeleton rather than the weight on the only expandable part on their body (belly). Some people believe it's a way for them to monitor the heat of their eggs, I simply disagree because a female would simply move off the heat. Just my own theory of course.

As for feeding, I've never had a female feed while gravid. Gravid would mean post ovulation and the follicles have turned into eggs. Typically, most females start going off food once follicles get large enough. I believe they get that feeling of discomfort, and they know it's no longer good for them eat. During ovulation the female pushes the ova into the oviduct where it is fertilized and then the eggs sit in the body cavity. I don't think it would be very wise for a female to eat and defecate during this time, and I've never seen it. However, I don't even offer either, and wouldn't advise it.