So as im new to breeding, im doing my first pairing. Well, at first they stayed seperate for the most part, occasionally interacting, but the past few days, the female is just kinda… laying on the male. Her vent is under her with the male, but she is really covering him. One part of me worries she may suffocate him, the other part of me doesnt want to bother her if she is mating with him. Its been about a day and a half. I wish i grabbed a pic before going to work, but they are both laying in the corner behind the water bowl and you cannot see the male at all under her. It just looks like shes curled up there.
Just reweighed her since you mentioned it. She has skipped a few meals so figured it couldnt hurt to check. She is closer to 1650 now, so gonna try and give attempts more often to get her back up. Winters been having their feeding a bit wonkey on me. Some are on hunger strikes, others wish i would feed them every other day haha. Good catch though! Dont want them to lock and her not have enough fat to safely carry the eggs
Oh, i get it. Without the context of tub and bowl size, ball pythons dont change much in body makeup as they grow besides getting chonky haha. I can totally see how they look small, and again, i thought she was mid 1700s last i checked, so im really glad you mentioned her looking small or i wouldnt have noticed her weight loss!
I don’t know your experience, so no offence. Feel free to correct me about your personal situation.
But if not for you, then for less experienced keepers or non member readers, I should make this point -
Are you sure about the sex? Have you checked yourself or just been told what sex they are?
Also we can always make mistakes with sexing - we are all human.
Its happened to me in the distant past. its no insult,
There’s lots of experienced huge breeders with many years of more experience with breeding snakes than me that have fallen into this trap and admit it. Just check youtube.
No offence taken! I have not checked personally, I got both animals from a long time breeder who was getting out of the hobby due to health issues. At the time i got them i was not very familiar with sexing (and if im honest, i am still no expert). I chose to take their word for it with their experience because i had heard if done incorrectly it can cause permanent damage to them (too much pressure applied). However, you bring up a good point that it doesnt hurt to check. I havent seen any classic combative behavior from them, and they seem to be fine with eachothers company, but it wouldnt hurt ti be sure that im not keeping 2 females or 2 males together and hoping for eggs, because that would just be silly xD
Thanks for taking my point as it was meant which was kindly, I to try to help with my learning from my mistakes
Your suggestions are possible of same sex due to dominance, but -
The other possibility could be the female is a male and the male is a female. That would explain the reverse on top and underneath too.
I don’t pretend to know, its all just possibilities.
And your so right, sexing with probes or even popping can be dangerous if your not experience with it.
I started popping with babies as they have less muscular control, so less pressure is needed. Then moved to adults, and then to probing, after much more time and experience.
I would suggest only with probing, side on the larger possible probe initially so there is less risk of puncture.
All good, I am by no means an expert, and just to give you an idea of where im at, i have 28 snakes, about 1/3rd are 16 months - 1 year, 1/3rd are about 1-2 years, and a few are at the 2-3 yr mark, and only 1 female is breeding size (though i now know she is a bit under due to some weight loss).
Ive been in the hobby for about a year and a half to 2 years, and while i love to discuss things and try to learn everything i can (and spread the knowledge i learn). I like to think i know a good amount by this point but im definitely not a subject matter expert.
All of that being said i definitely appreciate people snowballing ideas. It hurts nothing, and i dont take offence to the possibility i have done something wrong. If im messing up id much rather know i am so i can correct it, which sometimes doesnt happen without a helpful individual to let me know haha.
That’s why i am on this forum. if I am or anyone else’s advice is wrong, you will get the best advice from others here.
Good luck my fellow new ball python breeder, from your attitude regarding willing to learn like mine stated here- you will do well and go far.
You have gained my respect. And thats rare.
