Ball pythons are becoming increasingly popular as pets. This is due to the charming color mutations in this animal. There are more than 3000 color variations and motif combinations that have been successfully created by reliable breeders, better known as "morph". Ball pythons tend to be curious and friendly.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Breeding Preparation
Step 1. Make sure the ball python has reached maturity before breeding
The animal you want to breed must be mature and large enough. The selected male must weigh at least 700 grams and be one year old. To test for maturity can be done by removing the sperm. Gentle pressure on the cloaca (the hole in the back of the snake) will produce something thick white, which indicates that the male is ready. Although females weighing 1200 grams can be bred, breeders prefer females who are at least three years old and weighing 1700 grams. This is because the process of breeding in smaller animals will be more difficult to do and can interfere with health..
Step 2. Confirm the gender
It's a good idea to first confirm the sex of the animal you are going to breed. This can be determined by inserting a probe. There are videos that can help you learn the process. This can be bad for the animal, so don't do it without clear instructions, or check with an expert. Female snakes can be probed with about three or four rows of scales, while males have seven to nine rows of scales. In females, there may be a different calculation if the snake constricts its body to prevent the probe from getting deeper.
Step 3. Ensure the cooling period
For animals to be fertile, a cooling period is needed. The ambient air temperature at night should be in the 70s°F below 20s°C for about three months. Warm areas in the cage at night should be reduced from low to 80s°F below 30s°C, during the day the air temperature should be returned to normal temperatures above 80s°F. It is intended to mimic winter in Central Africa. This is useful for manipulating these beautiful animals as if to tell them that spring is coming soon, so a new life needs to be created.
Periodically introduce males and females in the cooling period. Leave the snakes together for a few days, then separate them for a few days. The snakes may try to breed, but are unable to do so. Still, this is a good sign
Step 4. Reheat
After air manipulation, the temperature can be returned to normal. The right temperature for ball pythons can cause sweat in most people.
Method 2 of 4: Breeding
Step 1. Give stimulation to the male
Many male ball pythons also need additional stimulation in order to breed. The simple way is to put a lot of males in one place. The snakes will begin to notice each other's presence, and move up to the nearest vertical corner. There is a photo showing six or eight male ball pythons dancing. This process can make males interested in approaching the opposite sex. Ten to twenty minutes of dancing, the male will become more and more attracted to the female.
Step 2. Introduce the female to the male
After introductions, leave the male and female together. Occasionally the snakes would attack each other, but injuries were rare. Normally, the snakes will calm down after a few minutes and the two animals will be in contact.
Step 3. Leave the snakes together
Ball pythons can mate for up to two days. It's okay to check occasionally, but try not to interrupt. The snakes are not in a hurry to finish the relationship. Snakes can take a very long time to complete this process. Having fewer than three or four appointments proves to be less effective.
Step 4. Wait
Male ball pythons need about a week to restore their stamina. If you have more than one female to breed, give the males a week or so of rest.
Step 5. Wait again
Sperm fed to the female can stay alive for up to two years.
Step 6. Look for signs of pregnancy
You can see it by the appearance of the eggs on the female. If you can see it, you can separate the male and female.
Method 3 of 4: Caring for Females
Step 1. Prepare a place for laying eggs
Put the female in a container, such as a Rubbermaid box with damp moss. The female will lay eggs and incubate them.
Step 2. Separate the eggs
Carefully separate the female from the eggs and place the eggs on the incubation substrate in a container (Rubbermaid box with a lid).
Step 3. Make sure the temperatures are correct
Change incubator to 90s°F, 32°C. Check the eggs once a week to make sure they are in good condition. When you open the lid of the box to check, air will enter so you don't have to make air holes in the incubation container.,
Step 4. Feed the female ball python
If the female doesn't want to eat, try cleaning her body to get rid of the egg smell. The female must be willing to eat again given that brooding makes her tired.
Step 5. The eggs should hatch about 55 days after incubation
Method 4 of 4: Caring for Baby Ball Pythons
Step 1. Place the baby snakes in separate containers
After hatching, the baby snakes should be placed in separate cages lined with wet papers until the baby snakes shed their first skin. Then, you can use newspaper or other substrate.
Step 2. Feed the baby mice
In the first week or two for five to seven days, the baby snakes should be fed baby mice.
Step 3. Like adult snakes, baby snakes also need water containers and a place to hide
Tips
- If your male is not attracted to the female, placing the male within reach of another male can make him attracted to the female.
- Give peace. Keep the female and male together during the mating period.
- Don't fail to manipulate the environment. Your chances of success don't need to be 100%. (Evidence says this is not true)
Warning
- Be extra careful when performing sex determination with the probe. Serious injuries can occur if done by inexperienced. The vet will be better at performing the procedure than experimenting with it yourself.
- Do not feed when the male and female are in contact. Snakes can fight for food, and of course can interfere with marriage.
