Building? (Long question, sorry!)

[AcePythons]

Hi, Ok so I have a couple questions and it might be a long post to read. I apologize for that. I'll try to shorten it as much as possible.

Anyway, so I bought this pastel female back on January 14th of this year and the person I bought her from and I decided that we would breed her to his Super Mocha male. They are 20 minutes away from me so I was not able to go see her every day and monitor any changes in her, but I went in once or twice a week to see her and they told me that they had been locking up every time. I went to visit on Feb 13th and they had sold their Super Mocha male so I decided to take her back and we would hope for the best.

Before I bought her they said she had not been fed in a month and I was unaware that they were not feeding her the whole month they had her either. When I purchased her she weighed in at around 1580 grams. Then, when I took her back and weighed her on Feb 14th she had gained almost 200 grams (weighed in at about 1720)....this was without any meals.

I've been watching for follicle building behavior and ovulation behavior, but the only things she's done has been seeking the cooler end of the cage.

She is now weighing in at over 1900 grams, but she's also had two meals in her.

I did not feel any follicles in her, but then again I've never tried to feel for any before either.

90% of the time she is in the middle of the tub or the cooler end. The temperatures are spot on at 90* and 82* so I know it's not too hot for her on the hot side.

So I guess my question would be (after all that reading! sorry!), is there a chance she could be building follicles even after only a month of breeding her?

She is in shed right now and I'm not sure if it would be her pre-ovy shed or not.

Here is a picture I took about 5 minutes ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...buildmaybe.jpg

And also, quick other question - Would this loose skin on her neck be from shedding, or from dehydration?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ratedmaybe.jpg

Sorry for the long post! Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!

[Dave Green]

Cat, she looks good and I would say she is getting there. I would try feeding her small meals once a week. My females typically eat aggressively and then stop a couple/few weeks before ovulation.

[j_h_smith]

Everything looks okay. Like David said, smaller meals would be best if you think she's building.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith