1st Time Breeding

[ForkedTung]

OK, So my classic "rescue" female, who happens to be a pretty huge girl (see pic taken after last hookup) was last bred on 11/05 with my Pastel male. A few days ago she was "cradling her water bowl and last night she had her lower 1/3 partially flipped up and appears to be going into blue. Does this mean that the breeding was successful? Would this then constitute a prelay shed if she does and then 27-35 days until she lays. Also will she continue to flip her body over throughout the pregnancy ( correct word?) or only during ovulation? thanks in advance, Kyle

[JAMills]

Bowl Wrapping and laying inverted are signs to watch for yes. As for a prelay shed ect. Did you happen to witness the Ovulation Swell?

[ForkedTung]

No I didn't as it appeared she was going into shed, I was leaving her alone. My observations were through the side of her tub.

[JAMills]

I would keep an eye out for the Ovulation swell, It will look like she swallowed a jumbo rat or two and will usually last for around a day then go back down. If you witness this then in 1 1/2 - 2 weeks you should have the "Pre-lay Shed" then in around 30 days from that shed you should get eggs.

[ForkedTung]

I would keep an eye out for the Ovulation swell, It will look like she swallowed a jumbo rat or two and will usually last for around a day then go back down. If you witness this then in 1 1/2 - 2 weeks you should have the "Pre-lay Shed" then in around 30 days from that shed you should get eggs.

I thought that the swell preceeded the "comfort" postitioning? So I figured I just missed it (the swell)because I didn't have her out and it's difficlut to see her in her tub

[JAMills]

I thought that the swell preceeded the "comfort" postitioning? So I figured I just missed it (the swell)because I didn't have her out and it's difficlut to see her in her tub

I have noticed mine in the "Comfort Position" before and after the Swell

[JD Constriction]

There are 4 shed cycles throughout the reproductive process according to Barker's book. All depends on which one she is going through now. Have you ever palpated her to see if she is carrying eggs? Is she still feeding? Is she laying tightly coiled on the warm side?

If all else fails and you think she might be gravid and about ready to lay just give her ~25 days after her shed and then start checking her cage daily for eggs. If she sheds again instead then that wasn't her "prelay" shed.

The best way to recognize the "signs" of a gravid female is to check on them throughout the season. Kind of a learn as you kind of thing that you get better at every season. That and if you haven't already Markus Jayne Reptiles has an informative page on the cycle:
http://www.ballpython.ca/gallery/breeding.html

In "most" instances eggs start appearing in the springtime....but that doesn't mean you don't have yourself an aseasonal breeder!

Hope that helps and keep us posted!