Gravid?

[Shawn36]

I checked on my "male" ball python today and he seems plump in the lower belly area.
He was housed with many other ball pythons (mixed sexes) and I rescued him.
Is it possible there was breeding and "he" could be a deep probing female?

I'll post pictures later.

[elusivereptiles]

Anything could be possible since he was housed with many other BP's.

Exactly how deep was the probe?

Have you "popped" to check for hemipene's?

Is "he" refusing food?

Did "he" have a long shed recently that lasted more than a week and a half?

I would ask myself those questions and then base my opinion on what the answers to those are.

[Shawn36]

Exactly how deep was the probe?

I counted 6-7 subcaudal scales.. he is bigger and probed shorter than my smaller male..

Have you "popped" to check for hemipene's?

No. I thought that you can only use that method on juveniles or babies..?

Is "he" refusing food?

He's been refusing for about a month. I thought it was just the season, like my other male.

Did "he" have a long shed recently that lasted more than a week and a half?

No. He shed recently but I don't know if this is "the shed"



I'm still not sure...

[elusivereptiles]

You can "pop" at any age and see hemipene's. I would check there first and see what you get.

Here is a helpful video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPmIp...ad.php?t=63130

If you get hemipene's then it's obviously not gravid, but if you don't, then you make have eggs soon.

[Shawn36]

I tried and I got this white, fleshy stuff. Then two small white things which I think are scent glands... No hemipenes.
I think it's a she???? I'm a little surprised, I have to say.

[Shawn36]

I have a question..
Is popping a ball pythons so bad? I said it on another forum and got attacked because I was taking bad care of my animals.
Can it cause a prolapse or hurt them badly? I was trying really hard to be gentle and stuff.

[elusivereptiles]

They can prolapse if they are to small to be popped, but generally anything over 200 grams can be popped and not hurt if done correctly.