is this weight enough to breed?..

[j_h_smith]

The weight in and of itself isn't the issue. It's the snakes post egg laying weight that is important. That's why most believe 1500 grams is the smallest you should breed.

A snake bred at 1300 grams will lose the same weight ratio as a 1500 gram snake. The smaller snake will not benefit from having and extra 200 grams to have on reserve after egg laying.

I'm not judging you if you decide to breed, I'm just trying to explain why most have the opinion that 1500 grams is the weight where you can start breeding the snake.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[Bruceweb]

The weight in and of itself isn't the issue. It's the snakes post egg laying weight that is important. That's why most believe 1500 grams is the smallest you should breed.

A snake bred at 1300 grams will lose the same weight ratio as a 1500 gram snake. The smaller snake will not benefit from having and extra 200 grams to have on reserve after egg laying.

I'm not judging you if you decide to breed, I'm just trying to explain why most have the opinion that 1500 grams is the weight where you can start breeding the snake.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith

Thanks Jim..ooh, conflicting advice, might pull the male out

[SNIKTTIME]

I have been told by many reputable breeders to wait until females get 1800-2000 grams. You may be able to go earlier but you may also stress out your snake and maybe even kill her if she can't pass her eggs. Also bigger females lay more eggs and healthier eggs. Me personally my snakes are too important to me to take the chance 1 year early, 1 year will not kill me.

[CritterVet]

Keep in mind, humans don't actually know the magic weight at which to start breeding females ball pythons.

We have several proven breeder females under 1500 grams. They are healthy and lay healthy eggs from which healthy babies hatch. If we had waited until they got to 1500 g to breed them, we would have missed out on several clutches that have been quite important to our breeding program last year. We also have some 2000 + g girls that haven't produced anything for us yet.

[j_h_smith]

I think you will find that if you ask 10 people this question, you'll get 11 opinion. I guess when all is said and done, it will be your opinion that matters.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith