how do you breed?

[Liquid Snake 06]

sry ive been asking questions all over the forums, but im just so amazed with BP's now. Apep is only a few months old, and is still goin through his first shed. at what age do they start to mate. and when should i purchase and introduce the female to him? again, sry for so many questions.

[gncz73]

well a male takes about a year or two depending on the male and how he eats and is taken care of. now female take a lot longer to get to breeding size about three years.

[Liquid Snake 06]

wow, seems like a lot of time and patience.

[gncz73]

yeah can be. but when you see your first babies of the year it's a great feeling

[joepythons]

sry ive been asking questions all over the forums, but im just so amazed with BP's now. Apep is only a few months old, and is still goin through his first shed. at what age do they start to mate. and when should i purchase and introduce the female to him? again, sry for so many questions.

Going by all your questions is this your first snake ever? If so i do not recommend even thinking about breeding until you have some ball python experiance under your belt.There is alot more to breeding ball pythons succesfully then just throwing two in a cage together.First they have to be of correct weight(males 500 to 800 grams)(females at least 1200 to 1500 grams).Also correct ages males 1yr to 18 months(some males might go earlier),females 2 to 3 yrs(also need to be proper weight).Yes it is alot of work and once you see your first baby hatchout it is worth the work you have done.I am not being rude here just honest.

[Liquid Snake 06]

no i totally appreciate your opinions and answers. and yes, this is my first snake. ive been doin research and homework on these things since teh day i bought my BP. is it healthier to atleast put in another snake? or do they like being alone? just want whats best for my BP.

[sweety314]

Nope...One snake, ONE CAGE. The only time you should have two together is when love is in the air, and it's 1.1. With more than one snake per tub/cage, if there are any problems, you won't know which snake is the one with the illness, problems. If one gets mites, then they'll BOTH end up with mites. Same with worms or repiratory illness, too.


They're solitary animals in the wild, except during mating.

Give yourself some time to enjoy your new pet, and to get all the different husbandry skills honed before approaching the breeding aspects. When your snake is older and you've more experience caring for it and all the little quirks associated w/him, all the breeders here will be able to answer your questions then.

Just sit back and enjoy your pet.

[Sevo]

Have you gotten the book written by the folks at N.E.R.D... very helpful and well worth the money.
http://www.newenglandreptile.com/book.html

I am new to breeding as well and it has helped alot.

hope this helps
Chris