1,443 grams?

[Carlene16]

I finally bought a scale today and weighed all of my ball pythons. (much needed )
Well my big normal girl weighs 1,443 grams empty and I was just wondering if that is close to breeding weight. I know some people breed when they are up to that size, sometimes lower. Just want some opinions.

Also, people that have bred close to this size, how many eggs per clutch have you gotten?

Thanks!

[SnakeGirl3]

Personally, I would wait until she's at least 1500 grams (which should just be another rat or two in your case) and still feeding. However, there are some that will breed at 1200 grams if the female is at least 3 years old. Her first clutch will probably be 4-5 eggs most likely. One girl I bred laid 6 eggs for her first clutch, but 3 were slugs. Everyone is going to have a different opinion, though. Even so, just take a look at your female. Is she skinny, or does she have a nicely rounded body? If she has a nicely rounded body, she's probably in decent shape for breeding, but even so, I'd give her a couple more weeks to eat a bit more and pack on just a few extra grams, since the extra body fat is what goes into the clutch. If she is not feeding right now, I'd definitely say hold off.

[snakesRkewl]

Age is as important as weight, as long as she is 2 years old or older then you have no reason to wait for 50 grams of weight gain especially if she's still eating.
My partner has a 1500 gram lesser female that is 16 months old, weight is fine, age isn't IMO

[mainbutter]

You'd probably be surprised how fast a 2 year old female at nearly 1500 grams can pack on some weight if she's feeding well.

If she's up to age, feed her medium rats every week and I'd say she's good to go this season. Would I start pairing tomorrow? Probably not. Would I hope for eggs in spring 2011? Yes.

[don15681]

I mostly go by weight and the look of the snake (weight to length ratio) most of my female continue to eat thru breeding season until the ovulate, and sometimes putting the male in gets the others feeding that time of the year. age, I breed their second winter if the weight is where I want it to be. with age, they are either sexually mature enough to breed or not. if not then no eggs.

[Carlene16]

She is a 2006 girl and still feeding with a huge appetite! She eats anything that is offered. I think I will see if she will eat a few more rats before I breed her with my male lesser

Now another question, is it normal for males to go off feed about this time? I did introduce him to my big female once, for only like ten minutes... does this make a difference? My male lesser has refused everything I've given him. He originally ate live, then when he came into my care I switched him to frozen thawed. He ate many f/t meals with me but now he is refusing. He wont eat f/t anything, I've tried live rats, live mice, but he just won't eat.

It's been a month now and I'm wondering how long he will be ohkay holding out on food.

[Carlene16]

Anyone??

Really need to get my lesser to eat!

Thanks

[snakesRkewl]

I doubt introducing him one time would throw him off feed, but I suppose it's possible
Most of if not all of my males will eat year around regardless of breeding, but some people say their males go off feed too and that's not a huge issue IF the male is of good weight to begin with.
Try a bit smaller prey items, make sure the head of the F/T is really warm to entice the snake to strike.
How big is lesser boy and how old?

[Carlene16]

I just weighed him yesturday at 641 grams, might be on the small side. But he is very well rounded and I'd say pretty chubby

I just don't want him to loose any more weight, because I've noticed him looking a little smaller.

I'll have to try a f/t mouse well warmed. I just really thought he would go for a live mouse/ rat but he is not into that at all.

[John Marker]

I have one male that typically refuses food for 5 to 7 months out of the year. He just does not eat, normally beginning in November and ending in April. He doesn't loose much weight through out his fasting period, normally less than 10% of his starting body weight.

All of my other males eat year round.

It will really be up to him, you just have to keep an eye on him. Watch his weight loss is all that you can do.

Good luck,

John