Eating habits don't tell a whole lot about follicular development, some girls even have a much stronger feeding response during this time, possibly to help put on a little extra weight to get them through a clutch of eggs and a potentially long fast. Other behaviors can help you to determine if a female is putting energy toward follicular development though. If she is laying cool most of the time (even after eating sometimes) then she is likely developing. Some girls also get a little fiesty during this time, so if your normally docile female starts hissing and/or striking at you for no apparent reason, that could be why. Temps are only one of the cues that determines when a female starts to develop. Others include male contact, and light cycles. Those breeders that breed all year round don't really cycle at all, and rely on ultrasound to watch follicular development (the follicles are too small to palpate at the point where males should be breeding them for the highest fertility rate). When they are the right size they introduce the male. It is still pretty early in the season, so you have a good chance if you start cooling about a month before your male is out of quarantine. Keep us updated on your pair throughout the season!

-Evan