Another "weight" question...

[pavlovk1025]

Yes, she will lay eggs. A few. And maybe the year after that, a few. Now, if you want good-sized clutches, that's another story, isn't it?

Depends on what you want to do with your breeding end game. Having 9 more snakes on the market doesn't help anyone. All my girls that will be breeding are 1200-1500. I want to make more of my mojaves, because he is different than any other I've seen. But when 5 of his look alikes pop out of a clutch (if all goes well)...well then...he's not so special anymore is he? Just my opinion, and Im a hobbyist more than a business man.

[Eventide]

Yes, she will lay eggs. A few. And maybe the year after that, a few. Now, if you want good-sized clutches, that's another story, isn't it?

The thing is, do we have any significant studies/proof of this? I hear people say this all the time, but it's always hearsay. Large, 1500+ females can consistently lay small clutches, too. Has anyone showed a consistent link between "breeding at < 1500g" and fewer eggs?

[WingedWolfPsion]

I'm a businessperson, not just a hobbyist. Do I want a snake that lays 4 eggs every year...or one that lays 9 eggs every year? If I have to wait an extra year for 9 eggs, that's fine by me.

When 5 look-alikes pop out of an egg, I'm ecstatic. I can keep the best ones.

[pavlovk1025]

I'm a businessperson, not just a hobbyist. Do I want a snake that lays 4 eggs every year...or one that lays 9 eggs every year? If I have to wait an extra year for 9 eggs, that's fine by me.

When 5 look-alikes pop out of an egg, I'm ecstatic. I can keep the best ones.

That's fair and I cant judge you for it. My priority is making high quality aminamals to stun my wife and share with the community. Tad bit extra for business purposes to offset the cost of the hobby and possibly make an extra dollar here and there, but the ultimate goal is produce a BEL, a Pied, (both for my wife) and a Lavender Clown Pied Something...and then I quit.

[MarkS]

Here is the problem. They take a lot longer to get big. That year really sets them back. That's why Leeetle Minions female was less than 1000 grams 2 years in a row.

Actually there BG, The 'Leetle Minions' female was acquired at nearly this same size, then the 'Leetle Minion' wasted THREE YEARS trying to get her 'UP TO A PROPER WEIGHT' But the funny thing was.... SHE WAS ALREADY AN ADULT and had already achieved the size that she was supposed to be..... You see, the funny thing about these animals is that they are UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS and will get as big as they're supposed to be and no more.... It's all in the genes.... Learn to listen to your animals... THEY will tell you when they are ready.

[TaylorS]

It's not complete "baloney" my leeetle Minion(BG loves to still use it when he can). It is true that a younger animal can be bred a produce eggs at a small size. BG doubts the males would pass up a young female in the wild if they were slithering by.


BG can't lie, he has bred females smaller than 1100 grams at the start with no problems(they gain a lot of weight while breeding). It's for obvious reason though. One year can make a huge difference when it comes to the price of a morph.

Here is the problem. They take a lot longer to get big. That year really sets them back. That's why Leeetle Minions female was less than 1000 grams 2 years in a row. If you can wait, it might be better. Although BG has had no problems with 18 month old smaller females, if you relate it to humans, BG guesses there could be more problems. BG's no expert, but if a 12 year old girl decided to have a baby, BG supposes(not 100% sure) there would more likely be a problem because of her size and age.

The Leeetle Minion(still miss them) is right though. If she is "mature enough" to lay eggs, there is a good chance she will. At 1350 and 2 years old, you'll probably be fine. BG has had a female that was around 1300 at the start of breeding lay 8 eggs, but it's usually 3 or 4.

ps. BG claimed to be "no expert" and said he wasn't "100% sure" purely for legal reasons. We all know Big Gunns knows everything.

Well as far as humans go (I'm a RN) 12 and 13 year olds do better than women in their 20's as far as childbirth. Less complication rates etc. actually. I don't know if this translates over to the snake world. The only problems seen in the younger population (humans) are from poor nutrition and inadequate pre-natal care. But side by side with proper nutrition and pre-natal care a 13 year old typically has better outcomes than a 30 year old.

[Big Gunns]

Actually there BG, The 'Leetle Minions' female was acquired at nearly this same size, then the 'Leetle Minion' wasted THREE YEARS trying to get her 'UP TO A PROPER WEIGHT' But the funny thing was.... SHE WAS ALREADY AN ADULT and had already achieved the size that she was supposed to be..... You see, the funny thing about these animals is that they are UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS and will get as big as they're supposed to be and no more.... It's all in the genes.... Learn to listen to your animals... THEY will tell you when they are ready.

There is some truth to that also my Leeetle Minion. It is all "in the genes". Although BG has sibs...some bred...some haven't. The ones that did not were usually...not always...larger if they didn't breed.

Well as far as humans go (I'm a RN) 12 and 13 year olds do better than women in their 20's as far as childbirth. Less complication rates etc. actually. I don't know if this translates over to the snake world. The only problems seen in the younger population (humans) are from poor nutrition and inadequate pre-natal care. But side by side with proper nutrition and pre-natal care a 13 year old typically has better outcomes than a 30 year old.

Well this goes to show that nature knows best.

Like BG said earlier...he has not had a problem with smaller female Ball pythons...they usually just lay smaller clutches.


ps. What hospital do you work at that 12 and 13 year olds are coming in having babies? BG just wants to warn his buddies to keep their daughters outta that town.

[stratus_020202]

Are you talking about the Caramel Albino? I am so excited to see some of those babies. What are you pairing her with? I love caramels.

The worst problem with the smaller weight girls is becoming egg bound. Of course, I think that's more for the under 1K g weight. I think yours is a good weight. Someone mentioned on here to go by looks. If she's looking fat then breed her. If they are long and skinny, but still 1200 g's, it's probably better to wait.

Good luck!!

[Freakie_frog]

The worst problem with the smaller weight girls is becoming egg bound. Of course, I think that's more for the under 1K g weight. I think yours is a good weight. Someone mentioned on here to go by looks. If she's looking fat then breed her. If they are long and skinny, but still 1200 g's, it's probably better to wait.

Good luck!!

I have only heard of one female Ball python becoming egg bound in the 5-6 years I've been around..I'm sure it happens. But I've also seen people like Mark and BG breed sub 1100 gram girl with no problem..Is it something I would suggest to a new comer or first time breeder.. NO!!!..only reason is that you'll not know if something is wrong. It's not a bad thing just an experience thing..

I'm breeding my first sub 1100 gram girl this year..but shes 4 years old..I figure it like this if the breeding makes her eat great if she produces 2 eggs., I better pick something cool as hell to shoot for.

[TaylorS]

Are you talking about the Caramel Albino? I am so excited to see some of those babies. What are you pairing her with? I love caramels.

The worst problem with the smaller weight girls is becoming egg bound. Of course, I think that's more for the under 1K g weight. I think yours is a good weight. Someone mentioned on here to go by looks. If she's looking fat then breed her. If they are long and skinny, but still 1200 g's, it's probably better to wait.

Good luck!!

I'm pairing her with my pied.