Stinkin' Slugs! Why?

[wendhend]

Yesterday I was surprised (and disappointed) to find that my seven-year-old female ball python had laid a pile of slugs. Last year she laid nine huge fertile eggs for me, and this year she bred with the same proven male as last year six times that I witnessed and then with another male two times that I witnessed. With all that breeding, why would this girl lay a bunch of slugs this year? Any ideas?

[mykee]

Wendy, I think you may have answered your own question;

"Last year she laid nine huge fertile eggs for me... "

Not every female will go every year. It is very rare to find females that will lay every season. I have one female (out of roughly 60 breeder females) that has given me eggs (7-11) for seven consecutive seasons but most will go a season, take a season off or go two season and then take a season off.

[98bcobra]

Wendy, I think you may have answered your own question;

Not every female will go every year. It is very rare to find females that will lay every season. I have one female (out of roughly 60 breeder females) that has given me eggs (7-11) for seven consecutive seasons but most will go a season, take a season off or go two season and then take a season off.

I got a nice pile of 7 Slugs this season to it just happens.

[mechnut450]

lol don't feel bad I got a pile of 6slugs from my first breeding with one of my females and she was breed to my albino he was bearly 500 grams so it could been his fault but I never know. Next year I will try again . if she willing.

[bones93]

Dont let it get you down. My first attempt at breeding ended up with 7 slugs as well from a 2500g virgin pastel. I was disappointed but you just move on and wait for the next one. good luck!

[wendhend]

So, it doesn't sound like this is too unusual. I just figured if she was going to take a year off that she wouldn't be so enticing to the males and that she wouldn't lay anything at all. Being a corn snake breeder, I am used to females that breed and lay fertile clutches predictably every year and sometimes even double clutch.... Hopefully things will go better with the ball python breeding next year. I ought to have at least three females big enough to breed by then, so my odds should be better. Thank you for the reassurance, everyone!

[davidnizmo]

sorry to hear that better lucj next year

[MKHerps]

All my females that were first year females last season did not breed this year. One developed then reabsorbed. But all my first year breeders this year and some other older girls are producing. The females know what is best for there bodies.