Blood breeding questions

[MikeyP]

I have a couple questions in regards to breeding bloods, and was wondering if anyone experienced or knowledgeable on the subject could give me some pointers.

How old/what size should a typical blood be, to be considered healthy and ready to breed at. Is this different for males vs females?

What time of the year/range of months do bloods normally breed?

Do you introduce the female into the males cage or vice-versa, and how long should these bouts of time spent together last (hours-day-days-weeks?

Typically how many years of breeding would be considered healthy before you might want to consider "retiring" that animal? Male vs female.

Can a male breed multiple females in a given season, and is there a limit that is beneficial to the animal?

I currently am only a hobbyist at this point, but once I am out of school I plan on making some major purchases and getting into breeding these awesome animals. Any input on the various questions would be appreciated!

Thanks a lot

[rodentslayer]

I have heard some males going at 1.5yrs old, but i've never personally seen it. Usually males and females are ripe and ready to breed at 2.5 to 3 yrs.

You can breed them year round, kinda like balls. The photoperiods play a major role in breeding, although some use temp drops.

I usually pair one on one, males in with females and vice versa. If ones isnt breeding, i'll take a female that is receptive and put her in the cage and mist them down. She will usually get her scent all over the non breeding female and will breed.

The most females I have bred a male to is 3. Although you may be able to do more, the male usually has his hands (penes) full (empty) with that many.

Check out bloodpythons.com if you are seriously wanting to get into bloods/short tails.

later
Jordan

[Tim Mead]

Thats alot of questions Mikey,..Both sexes "can" be bred at 18 months but its NOT the norm or recommended by most..They would have to hammered with feed in order to do so..Males can be used at 18 months with some luck, females should wait another year or two..Males should be 7 lbs plus and females should EXCEED 10 lbs..Fall or the onset of temperture drops is what generally prompts breeding but it has taken place all times of the year..
It does NOT matter who go's into who's cage IMO..How long are they capable of producing is a tough question and don't think you'll find anyone to answer that one..One copulation "can" produce a fertile clutch and there by you could breed quite a few females, BUT most keepers limit it to 2-3 females..2-3 days on and few days off is the way many/most do it..But theres no set way or rules of..

[FIREball]

Although I have never bred bloods, I did ask Tracy Barker on her opinion before I picked up her Caramel Albino Sumatran project.

Here is her response..

I wait until they are 3 years old and that is plenty
big-3-4' I have bred males at 18 months and females at 2 years but don't do that
any more. I breed 1 : 1 but I have bred 1: 3 no problem, and would not be
surprised if they could do 6-but it isn't my style to do that-I don't like
moving animals around I just pair them up.

[redpython]

How to bred bloods, borneos and blacks!

March 1st - October 1st

Temps 82-88 degrees

October 1st - November 1st

Drop Night temp by 3-5 degrees

November 1st - March 1st

Drop both night time and daytime temps by 2 degrees


from: http://redpython.net/newsite/

[2kdime]

Did you adjust feeding at all Jason?

[redpython]

nope. i feed me every two - 4 weeks an appropriate sized meal.

if i get eggs from a female, then after laying, as soon as she starts feeding, i do get her back to size fast.