pre ovulation shed?

[smeagel]

Do ball pythons go through a pre ovulation shed? If so how long does it take for her to shed after they lock up. And about how much weight would she gain?

[Markus Jayne]

All ballpythons experience a pre-ovulation shed but it really isn't helpful in determining time before ovulation and eventual egg laying. Many of my females will be bred from October to April and will experience several shed prior to ovulation.

Ball pythons are not like mammals wheras you can countdown from breeding. Just because your snakes lock-up, doesn't mean that she will ovulate.

Generally you can see ovulation building for several weeks prior to the actual ovulation. Once she does ovulate, she should experience a pre-lay shed in around 16 days. From that shed you can pretty well count on the eggs arriving 26 to 30 days later.

Many people feel that one breeding is all it takes. That is true sometimes, but I like to cover every female at leat 3 - 4 times before she ovulates. I feel it is the presence of the male that triggers her to realease and therefore grow her folicles. It's all about enery and preserving it. It's about survival and to snakes energy is life. Using energy unessesarily is a waste that they cannot afford. If a male is around it makes their effort worth while.

Just my theory.

Mark

[BoidKeeper]

I feel it is the presence of the male that triggers her to realease and therefore grow her folicles.
According to the Sutherlands it's weight and cycling that trigger the realease of folicles. It's the introduction of a male that prevents them from reabsorbing. In my case this year I'm a little nervouse because I won't be introducing a male until the end of December. I'm concened about introducing late and missing the window in which some of my females will be most receptive to a male. So like you said Mark by letting the male have at least three copulations with the female you are sure to get her when she is most receptive. Must be nice to have an ultrasound eh? No guess work there. You know exactly when to pair the male with the female. No more guess work or over breeding the male.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Jeff_Favelle]

I'm concened about introducing late and missing the window in which some of my females will be most receptive to a male.

The majority of eggs are laid in late Feb. to March and April. I don't understand how you can think you'll be introducing late. That's PLENTY of time. I didn't use to start cycling until Dec. 20th and I never had any problems.

[BoidKeeper]

Well let's just say I'm introducing later than last year and later then I would like. I supose the females probably wouldn't start reabsorbing folicles until the spring, May and June maybe.
Trevor

[BoidKeeper]

Oh and Jeff have you ever known me not to worry too much for nothing?lol
Cheers,
Trevor

[Jeff_Favelle]

LOL!! Too true! :D

[smeagel]

well i have introduced my male to her three times. i'm not sure if she has ovulated or not, but she has gained lots of weight in the last couple weeks. Just curious if there was any way you can tell or not. I have no problem playing the waiting game.

[BoidKeeper]

You'll know when she ovulates because she'll look like she ate a foot ball. They normally don't ovulated until March or so. Plus she'll shed first.
Cheers,
Trevor

[smeagel]

thank you for all the answers. I will keep you posted with what is happening