I believe in the OP's picture this ball python is showing signs of building prior to ovulation. Ball pythons can also do this just before laying as an egg adjustment. I saw someone say their females do this without pairing with a male, which would be expected. Females produce follicles even if you don't put a male in with them. Female's have follicles for the majority of the year, but simply absorb them if not paired. As the follicles grow these females can be seen on their side in effort to help relief pressure. If you see how a ball pythons rib cage is, you'll notice that on their side or back it would help support her own weight more than if she was simply laying on her stomach, especially after a meal when there would be added pressure. I also notice that it's typically near the heat of my tubs, so I believe it is also an effort to heat them up a little more. The follicles on the females are actually quite high, more near the spine than their stomach. Once the follicles are fertilized and the females is ready, she will ovulate and the ova is pushed down into the oviduct where they are shelled and turned into eggs. Seeing females on their side is typically a GOOD thing when breeding. Good luck!![]()