Not sure if this helps or not, but my first ball python was a normal female. I started pairing her with a normal male when she was 4 years old (over 1800g). No eggs that year and no eggs the year after either. I didnt get so much as a follicle until she was 8 years old when she laid 9 pearly whites. During the 5 seasons where she was paired she was healthy, in great condition and locked with multiple males. I guess she just wanted to make me wait.