Shy Males?

[BHReptiles]

Some of you who read/follow my other posts know that I have a male pewter on breeding loan. He came to me at 400g with plugs. He's now 650g and I have yet to see a lock form him. I usually check on my snakes 2-3 times a day (once in the morning, once in the evening, and sometimes once in the afternoon). I've tried pairing during a thunderstorm, placing him with the shed of the female with the female, placing him with the shed of another male, rubbing another male's sperm plugs on the female, putting the other male with him, playing romantic music, etc. I can't get him to lock. I've also never seen him court a female. Could it be that he's a super quick breeder and I'm just missing locks? Or could it be that he's just not ready?

My other male is 700g and locks with anything within 30 min. He's an absolute stud. He started pairing at 500g and started off shy but within a few weeks he starting pairing quicker and longer. Now, I have to struggle to catch him UNLOCKED so I can remove him! He would much rather stay with the ladies all day.

[BlueMoonExotics]

Not sure how it works with ball pythons since I have yet to pair any myself, but I know that crested geckos (also nocturnal) usually only breed at night when all is quiet. Maybe take a peek in at them really late night/early morning and see if anything is going on? On the other hand I have heard of balls that are just not interested in the females for some reason. I hope that's not the case for you though!

[BHReptiles]

Not sure how it works with ball pythons since I have yet to pair any myself, but I know that crested geckos (also nocturnal) usually only breed at night when all is quiet. Maybe take a peek in at them really late night/early morning and see if anything is going on? On the other hand I have heard of balls that are just not interested in the females for some reason. I hope that's not the case for you though!

Usually my evening check is my check right before I turn in for the night. That can be anywhere from 8pm to 2am! I've even checked on them in the middle of the night if I happen to get up for any reason. I still have yet to see him lock! His owner and I joke that he's a gay ball python! I really hope he's just sneaking some locks in on us.

[don15681]

some males breed sooner than others. I had 2 female lessers that bred before their lesser pastel brother and he was breeding size the same time they were. it happens, but I also heard breeders that never witness a lock and still got a clutch. good luck with that pairing, don

[ironpython]

He must not be ready, my male bred my girls all hours any time

1.1 pastels, 1.0 lesser, 0.1 het blurry, 0.1 spider, 1.1 norm. 0.1 dinker,

[BlueMoonExotics]

His owner and I joke that he's a gay ball python! I really hope he's just sneaking some locks in on us.

Yeah, I've heard others joke about this as well so it's not so uncommon I don't think. In your case though, it might just be that he needs to grow a bit more.

[Wapadi]

Might wanna re check the sex of the pewter. It happens to the best of us!

[BHReptiles]

Might wanna re check the sex of the pewter. It happens to the best of us!

That was my first thought. But the owner had Brian from BHB pop him and I popped him and we both got a set of hemipenes. I even probed him and he probed 7 or 8 scales...so I know he's male.

I keep telling the owner that I just don't think he's ready...but with both females close to ovulation, we were hoping he might have nailed them once or twice at a shot for duel-sired clutches.

[fatSNAKEs]

Same experience, have a young Blackhead male that I've aggressively paired with multiple girls this season, no locks. He's over 700gms, has great hemipenes but nothing all year. Other males have 10+ locks each this season. Also same challenge last several years with a Double Het Dreamsicle male ... nothing. Never know, mother nature can be very random. Good luck, keep pairing ...

[Capray]

Same experience, have a young Blackhead male that I've aggressively paired with multiple girls this season, no locks. He's over 700gms, has great hemipenes but nothing all year. Other males have 10+ locks each this season. Also same challenge last several years with a Double Het Dreamsicle male ... nothing. Never know, mother nature can be very random. Good luck, keep pairing ...

Lol how do you "aggressively" pair snakes? I have a feeling I'm picturing something wayy different than what you meant over here