Strange behaviour/gravid? ball python

[Bogertophis]

I hear it's rare. When I asked around last year about this, no one could tell me much. I asked if she's likely to do it again and no one even answered me. I really hope this isn't a yearly thing now 😓 I'm scared for her especially since her weight was quite low for her. I'm scared of them getting stuck but without a breeding date I don't know if she's gravid and if she is how far along. I don't know at what point this is a danger

It could easily be a yearly thing now, unless you get her spayed, which not many vets do, & very few owners request.

Parthenogenesis has no "breeding date" but snakes tend to produce at roughly the same time every year, viable eggs or not.

Fix her up with a nest box as I described- move out unessential things to make room- it's important that she feels safe, private, & has a proper nest box with minimal disruption.

[Shmalex]

I can see where last year was very awkward for you. I'd guess the eggs were laid in late June of last year- which reinforces what I was getting at- that right now she's stressed because she has no nest box & needs to lay- and THAT can contribute to egg-binding, so get her fixed up to lay eggs A.S.A.P. Seriously.

(re her loss of appetite last year, see my previous post- it's all about hydration hydration hydration!) Your snake is not "aggressive"- she's defensive, and needs a proper nest box.

Thank you for your reply!
So you're thinking she is gravid then?
Ok I'll get on that today. It's hard to find sphagnum moss in my city and I have just a bit left. Anything else that will do until I can order more?
And yes defensive is the right word. I'm nervous to handle her like that but I guess I'll have to get over it. Her water bowl already is quite large. I don't think I'd have room for a lay box, water bowl and regular hot hide even though her tank is 4 feet long. I have a clear tub with a lid I can make into a lay box. I assume I should cover it.
I had no idea a lay box was so important.. she didn't need one last year at all so I didn't even think about it.
Thank you

[Shmalex]

I'm looking up nest boxes for bp and it seems barely anyone bothers with it and they are fine without (I understand that could be incorrect)
To reduce bothering her as she's been curled under her cool hide for 2 days now, could I just add another new layer of moist coconut husk all around her?? Mixing the spagnum moss I have left? Then I barely have to disturb her? And her humidity gets bumped up

[Bogertophis]

Thank you for your reply!
So you're thinking she is gravid then?
Ok I'll get on that today. It's hard to find sphagnum moss in my city and I have just a bit left. Anything else that will do until I can order more?
And yes defensive is the right word. I'm nervous to handle her like that but I guess I'll have to get over it. Her water bowl already is quite large. I don't think I'd have room for a lay box, water bowl and regular hot hide even though her tank is 4 feet long. I have a clear tub with a lid I can make into a lay box. I assume I should cover it.
I had no idea a lay box was so important.. she didn't need one last year at all so I didn't even think about it.
Thank you

I'm not seeing her, (or your set-up), so I'm just going by what you're describing- and I would assume she is. You might try using a big ol' dampened towel around her- she'd probably love that, & it doesn't sound like you should be handling her at this time. And you could at least cover that end of the enclosure so it's more cave-like & private- see? That's likely why she's grumpy- she needs privacy, & some snakes are thought to wait too long to lay eggs if conditions are unsuitable, then maybe get "stuck" or some will lay them in a water bowl (since the sides make it feel more secure, & that's all they can find). Your job is to be a facilitator. I do have experience breeding some kinds of snakes, but not BPs. (A nest "box" helps keep the dampness where you want it, so the eggs don't dry out & so the female is comfortable, & feels safe.)

[Bogertophis]

I'm looking up nest boxes for bp and it seems barely anyone bothers with it and they are fine without (I understand that could be incorrect)
To reduce bothering her as she's been curled under her cool hide for 2 days now, could I just add another new layer of moist coconut husk all around her?? Mixing the spagnum moss I have left? Then I barely have to disturb her? And her humidity gets bumped up

That may be the case with BPs, as far as a nest box- all I can say is sure, try it.

[Shmalex]

I'm not seeing her, (or your set-up), so I'm just going by what you're describing- and I would assume she is. You might try using a big ol' dampened towel around her- she'd probably love that, & it doesn't sound like you should be handling her at this time. And you could at least cover that end of the enclosure so it's more cave-like & private- see? That's likely why she's grumpy- she needs privacy, & some snakes are thought to wait too long to lay eggs if conditions are unsuitable, then maybe get "stuck" or some will lay them in a water bowl (since the sides make it feel more secure, & that's all they can find). Your job is to be a facilitator. I do have experience breeding some kinds of snakes, but not BPs. (A nest "box" helps keep the dampness where you want it, so the eggs don't dry out & so the female is comfortable, & feels safe.)

I saw the link on photo sharing. Seems very complicated for a tech illiterate like me haha but I'll have a go in a bit.
I already have a blanket covering that side of the tank and glass so it's dark and quiet. She's also in my spare room with no foot traffic.
I'm leaving her alone but I can see that her hide has been raise off the ground a bit so there is a space and I can sometimes see her body. Normally she lays in a big flat coil and the hide isn't raised so she's "sitting up" in a tall coil if that makes sense.
I'll put lots of moist bedding all around her to help her out. It is a tad lower than normal because I've been cleaning out all her extra pees lately.
Strange she'd find the environment unsuitable when it is the exact same as last year and her birth went fine.

Thank you for your help.
Any ball python specialist out there than want to chime in?

[Shmalex]

I followed the instructions for picture upload but every time it says my file is too big. It's just one normal picture. I've tried cropping it down but no luck

[Shmalex]

((Merged your photo thread with this one, so it is all in one place. ))

This seems to be the only way I can post pictures don't know if this will work. This is for my thread on my "strange behaviour/possible gravid" BP, her set up and her parthenogenetic clutch last year.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

[Shmalex]

I'm not seeing her, (or your set-up), so I'm just going by what you're describing- and I would assume she is.

I had to make a whole new thread... Don't know why. But I posted a pic with her clutch, her in the bath after laying last year and my enclosure


(( Admin note: Photo thread merged with this one, see above post. ))

[Homebody]

I followed the instructions for picture upload but every time it says my file is too big. It's just one normal picture. I've tried cropping it down but no luck

Try this:

• go to https://imgur.com/a/cgNzuwV
• create an new post. No sign up needed.
• 
• in a new window open up the forum and start your thread
• drag and drop the image from the imgur post into your thread

I know it can be frustrating at first, but adding pictures really enriches your forum experience. Good luck.