This has sparked my interest.

[Shadow]

I haven't even gotten a bp yet but breeding has spraked my interest. It is not somthing I'd be planning on doing anytime soon of course, but given their long lifespans, it couldn't hurt to keep it in mind before I pruchase a snake. Any tips ideas and or advice? I probably wouldn't want to breed specific morphs but just breed some healthy bps.

[daniel1983]

My only advice since you have not got a bp yet is buy females first. Ball python breeding takes a while. Females take between 2 and 3 years to get to breeding size, while males only take a year or so. In the 2-3 years that it takes to get the females up to size you will have plenty of time to research the actual breeding procedure. Thats all the advice I can really think of since you have not gotten your first bp yet....hope that helps

you can find some breeding info on these guys sites. Adam and Joe both post here and are great guys. Adam gives great details on the how he adjusts temps and such for breeding in his calander. Joe has some great articles about various breeding topics that should be helpful. Markus does not post here(and he is from canada) and has a great breeding page. Alot of breeders have great stuff on their sites about breeding so feel free to search.

http://www.8ballpythons.com/journal.htm

http://www.joecompelreptiles.com/ball_bits/

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

[Shadow]

Thanks.

[Isshinharu]

Maybe this is a noob question, but... does breeding a female shorten her life span? I have one now and have thought about breeding her in a couple years when she's ready, but she's one I'd like to keep (nice pattern... almost like a jungle, but i don't think it's a true 'jungle'). I would eventually like to acquire others for breeding, and maybe get into morphs if funds are available.

[Adam_Wysocki]

Maybe this is a noob question, but... does breeding a female shorten her life span? I have one now and have thought about breeding her in a couple years when she's ready, but she's one I'd like to keep (nice pattern... almost like a jungle, but i don't think it's a true 'jungle'). I would eventually like to acquire others for breeding, and maybe get into morphs if funds are available.

Not as far as anyone has proven. There are many breeders now that have adult ball females well into their late twenties that have been breeding for the last decade with no signs of slowing down.

As long as your animals are in great physical condition prior to being bred and their health is monitored, there is no reason why breeding would shorten the incredibly long lifespans that ball pythons have.

-adam

[Isshinharu]

Not as far as anyone has proven. There are many breeders now that have adult ball females well into their late twenties that have been breeding for the last decade with no signs of slowing down.

As long as your animals are in great physical condition prior to being bred and their health is monitored, there is no reason why breeding would shorten the incredibly long lifespans that ball pythons have.

-adam

Well that's good to know. Maybe when she's mature enough I'll give her a try too. Thanks for the info!

Oh yeah, I checked out your website... you've got some awesome morphs on there. The breeding section has some great info in it (ie... the calendar and what to do with hatchlings...). Good stuff!

[Adam_Wysocki]

Thank you.

-adam