Pre-Ovy Shed?

[rlditmars]

Hello all. I have been a long time reader but this is my first time posting. First let me give kudos to this community for all of the assistance, support, appreciation, and just plain love that goes around on this board. It is truly awesome. I'm kind of an old timer, and unfortunately, the internet didn't exist when I bought my first ball python. Would have been nice to have a resource such as this back then. I went away from keeping snakes for a long time, but now my daughter's interest in them has rekindled my own.

Anyways, I see/read a lot about pre-lay sheds. I have also seen information by Markus Jayne where he mentions a pre-ovy shed. Can someone enlighten me a little about this. Is there a specific chronology for this as well. In other words, is there a specific number of days from pre-ovy shed until ovy?

Thanks,

[aalomon]

IMHO, pre-ovy sheds are almost useless. Ive had "pre-ovy" sheds anywhere from 7-60 days from their ovulation. Unless youre specific female has a reliable pre ovulation shed every year, you really shouldnt try counting.

On the other hand, prelay sheds are much more accurate. On average, they lay around 30 days after their shed. Of course there is the odd female that lays on day 25, and there are a few stories of females making their keepers wait 45+ days before they drop their eggs, but overall it is pretty consistent.

[rlditmars]

Thanks for the response. I've seen enough about pre lay to know it was consistant, just was wondering if pre ovy was as reliable. My daughter and her friend have both been bitten by the BP bug and are trying their first go at breeding. They have had their snakes lock a few times now. The female has been bowl wrapping and staying on the cool side. About two weeks ago she refused a meal and has stopped eating (which she has never done previously) and now she just finished shedding Wednesday. It all seems to be progressing in the right direction. I was just kind of hoping for a countdown, but I guess they'll just have to watch and wait for an ovy like everyone else. Good luck with what ever you may have cooking this season.