Is there any way that laying a clutch of slugs young could affect future breeding?

[wendhend]

So, I have a nice female ball python that was approximately 1100 grams when she ovulated just under two years of age. She did not get bred and laid me a pile of slugs. Of course this was accompanied by a big fasting period and a weight loss of over 400 grams after the slugs were laid. That was a few months back, and she looks healthy now and is eating well. She is gaining her weight back and is over 800 grams currently.

I have been breeding corn snakes for many years and seen multiple cases where a virgin corn will lay a clutch of slugs at age two and then go on to grow well and produce a healthy, fertile clutches the next season and after that. I can't imagine it is any different with ball pythons, is it?

There's no way I would want to breed the ball python in question until she puts on a lot more weight. She is a good eater and should able to do that. But what I'm wondering is if anyone else has ever had a female lay slugs young like that and had any problems with future breeding?

[coldbloodaddict]

No this won't have any ill effects on future breedings.

[aalomon]

My pastel female gave me a lovely clutch of 4 slugs 2 years ago. Last year she gave me 5 good eggs and one slug, and now she is due to lay again anyday. Assuming I havent just jinxed myself, no, a first clutch of slugs wont keep them from giving you good clutches later on.

[dreese88]

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...reeder-concern


same snake?

[wendhend]

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...reeder-concern


same snake?

Hey, you're good! Yeah, I'm looking at selling her and told the potential buyer about her laying slugs. He was wondering if there is reason to be be concerned for future breeding issues. To my knowledge there isn't, but I figure it never hurts to ask around.

[dreese88]

I don't think it would be a big deal. Sometimes breeding young can lead to smaller clutches if the first clutch is small, but she should be fine

[coldbloodaddict]

I don't think it would be a big deal. Sometimes breeding young can lead to smaller clutches if the first clutch is small, but she should be fine

That's a myth!

[dreese88]

That's a myth!

Thanks for correcting that. I can't remember where I heard it, but I should have seen from my own experience that it wasn't true as I've bred a female the past three years and her first clutch was laid at about 19 months and the clutches have gone 3, 4, 6 eggs respectively