Female Ball Python

[Ghost68]

I am thinking about getting a female ball python. I would rather a female because of the slightly larger size. But I have a two questions before I decide on male or female.
1.) Although i'm not breeding her will her follicles still produce?

2.)If her follicles do produce, will she lay slugs?

[jedimojeaux]

I've been told that there are VERY rare occasions where this happens but most likely, without a male, it won't. None of the females I've had have done so.

[Mr. Misha]

Can't help you with your original question but wanted to add the the female part.

Females will be more food agressive especially during breeding season. In my experience, males tend to be more docile. So that's something to consider.

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[jedimojeaux]

I may have misspoken about this. I was curious and looked up some info, and there's a thread on here that says females will produce follicles regardless of whether they are introduced to males or not. Though, as I said, in my 9 years of keeping ball pythons I've not seen an egg laid without a male.

[BCS]

Yes, they most likely will develop follicles but the get absorbed by the female if not male is introduced. They will not lay a false clutch.

Also, being male or female does not determine if they are more food aggressive or not. This is individual, not determined by gender.