Feeding while gravid

[Turbo Serpent]

In my experience it would be quite rare for a female ball python to feed after ovulation. I cannot say with confidence that it has ever happened in my collection. I believe there are compelling physiological reasons for females to avoid food during this time but must also acknowledge that it is a standing practice amongst breeders to avoid offering food to obviously gravid females. We do this because it is highly unlikely they will take the food and the introduction of a rodent into the cage can cause the snake unnecessary stress.

If I just spent a year (or three) getting my female to a point where she is producing eggs I'm not willing to mess it all up by trying to squeeze in one more rat after fertilization has occurred. It's just not worth the bad things that could happen.

Cheers,

x2!

Once you know she has Ovulated it is definitely not recommended to offer food, for the sake of stress and there is obviously less room for food while follicles/eggs are developing within her.