I just love 800g females!

[JASBALLS]

John, it's always exciting to me to see how you think outside the box with regards to these animals, and I know that you often advise members to learn to read their animals.

But for someone new to keeping ball pythons who doesn't have the experience that you do in reading their animals, what do YOU look for to determine if a 800 gram female can safely be bred? I am concerned that some of our more eager members might see this and think that their females will be just fine at a year old and 800 grams - that 800 is the new 1500.

What's so great about this site is that we can help guide newer keepers and at the same time, provide new and exciting information for more experienced members.

It would be really cool when you post these that you give a little more back ground so that we can learn more from you!

I admit, I'm not much of a poster.. Meaning I dont wright much with my posts.. Breeding a yearling female at 800g grams would be Very dumb.. So I breed my yearling females at 1000-1200g. I never believed the old 1500 to begin with LOL! But I'm just a poser anyway..

Hi Ralphie!!

[rabernet]

Yah! But you still didn't answer my question - I'm going to make you write!

So - no yearlings at 800 grams - agreed it would be dumb

What do you look for from an older female who is smaller than the "norm" to determine for YOU that she's good to go? Body tone? Feeding reliably? Stopping feeding signaling she wants to breed?

[Sputnik]

I myself have a 5 year old female (Originally an import 3 years ago) that is around 1000g, maybe less. Have had her lock up a few times, hope to see a result.

[JASBALLS]

Yah! But you still didn't answer my question - I'm going to make you write!

So - no yearlings at 800 grams - agreed it would be dumb

What do you look for from an older female who is smaller than the "norm" to determine for YOU that she's good to go? Body tone? Feeding reliably? Stopping feeding signaling she wants to breed?

All about there feeding responce before breeding begins. If she eats Strong for me for a few months strait I know she is going to breed. If she stops feeding I could care less. I know she will eat after she lays.. If a small girl is 3 years old or more she will produce for you year after year.. Again If The SNAKE is happy with her size then you should be happy with her size! Dont try to make her bigger then she wants to be.. And dont be affraid to let her do what she does best!

[rabernet]

See! Told you I'd make you write! That's good information to know! I have a smaller '06 female, that I likely will not breed in the '08/09 season, but if she continues to stay small well into her third year, not only will I have your experience to call on, but more experience under my belt to give it a go! I love thinking outside the box!

[JASBALLS]

See! Told you I'd make you write! That's good information to know! I have a smaller '06 female, that I likely will not breed in the '08/09 season, but if she continues to stay small well into her third year, not only will I have your experience to call on, but more experience under my belt to give it a go! I love thinking outside the box!

Can you say Box here? LOL! I'm sure other breeders will chime in and say I'm crazy, But thats how I do it.. And it works! No books no youtube vids. Just a 1.1 End of story!!

[Harold]

I have never heard of a snake being happy at a weight and staying there if they are good eaters. If they are not good feeders and stay small would you not want to move this female out of your breeding program and replace her with a good feeder that gets bigger year after year? I would think that you would not want to produce more animals that are " Happy to stay small ". Maybe I am wrong but I try and keep only good strong feeders for my breeder females so my offspring could have a chance to carry on the same strong feeding response. If a female weighs 800 Grams while breeding what would she weigh after she lays the eggs ??

[JASBALLS]

I have never heard of a snake being happy at a weight and staying there if they are good eaters. If they are not good feeders and stay small would you not want to move this female out of your breeding program and replace her with a good feeder that gets bigger year after year? I would think that you would not want to produce more animals that are " Happy to stay small ". Maybe I am wrong but I try and keep only good strong feeders for my breeder females so my offspring could have a chance to carry on the same strong feeding response.

Happy Harry is here!! HoWS JON?? Do what you Guys do.. I'll do what I do.. K? Harry?

[JASBALLS]

And if she is a strong producer for me even though she is small Why would I get rid of her? I see you are all about the $ I'm not.. I'll breed her for the next 20 years Bro!

[West Coast Jungle]

I have never heard of a snake being happy at a weight and staying there if they are good eaters. If they are not good feeders and stay small would you not want to move this female out of your breeding program and replace her with a good feeder that gets bigger year after year? I would think that you would not want to produce more animals that are " Happy to stay small ". Maybe I am wrong but I try and keep only good strong feeders for my breeder females so my offspring could have a chance to carry on the same strong feeding response. If a female weighs 800 Grams while breeding what would she weigh after she lays the eggs ??

I think the point Jas is making is age. Some animals just dont get as big as others, some get way bigger. If you see an animal is staying at a certain wieght after X amount of years, thats probably as big as she is gonna get. Not all BP's are gonna reach 4000 grams.

Now if the snake is a poor eater and isn't growing than that is not a good canidate for breeding.

Thats how I hear it.