folicle question. novice in need of help

[sookieball]

DO FEMALES ONLY BREED WHEN FOLICLES ARE DEVELOPING?

i read alot about palpateing then puting in the male.

being my first time breeding BP's
i dont know how to palpate and dont know what im feeling. wether its her muscles or not.

IF SHE IS DEVELOPING FOLICLES, IS THAT THE ONLY TIME SHE IS RECEPTIVE TO THE MALE?

she has been locking up ALOT with my male pastel. she is gaining weight pretty rapidly. but doesnt look like bulgy. just a heavy lean girl.
very receptive too. as soon as he enters her tank, she starts slithering all over wagging her tail up in the air and within a couple hrs. she and he are locked up. not for long but many times a day.

HOW LONG AFTER LOCK UPS DOES OVULATION BECOME OBVIOUS?

i know it will be a while till i get eggs. but just want to make this expeirience for her (virgin) as easy as i can.
he is a virgin too lol

[llovelace]

I can't really help too much, I had my first clutch in June, 1 in Aug., 1 in Sept. I never did palpate follicles or eggs. I just kept pairing until the female refused male.

[sookieball]

anyone else? someone always has alot to say and today no one can think of anything.

[JAMills]

Her being receptive is a good thing. Keep up the pairing.
I get a kick out of the Tail Wagging... I have been trying to catch it on video but everytime I open a tub to get a clear shot they stop doing it.

Have you ever seen someone palpate a ball python ?
Palpating:
If you have seen the technique then what you are trying to feel I could best describe as Marbles or a String of Jumbo Pearls... If you keep your fingers relaxed but still keep pressure as she slides through you will Know when you hit them... It really does feel like a she has swallowed marbles when they get big enough and your fingers are relaxed you can see your finger pop each time it goes over one.
At first it is frustrating because you don't know what your looking for but then comes the "Ah Haa" moment where you feel your first big un-mistakable follicle and all the sudden you get it... then it is pretty easy from there.

Hope That Helps

[Chad Hulker]

Sounds like its working out..her follicles may be pretty small still but if she's accepting the male then that's a great sign. Make sure you continue to feed her regularly and keep the pairing going. Ovulation takes place sometimes months after mating. I notice most of my females ovulating after i raise temps in the spring, some of mine wait till the end of summer into fall before they ovulate. Just keep it going and make sure she gets plenty of food if she's still feeding and it will happen naturally

[sookieball]

k thanx all!


yeah i have a critter condo so i have a full front view of all the tail waggin and lovins.

and they dont mind me snapping pix or nothing.

[ClarkT]

just a funny.... they WERE virgins... not any more