Look at its tail: The female ball python has a tail that tapers toward the end; the male ball python's tail remains thicker all the way to the end. If the rod goes further, it's male (the extra distance suggests the presence of hemipenes). Newborn ball pythons eat much more often than adults, but they grow quickly at that age. Males, on the other hand, typically reach an average adult . The best way to set up a new ball python is to replicate how it was housed at the breeders. Here are some great ideas that can be used for snakes of either sex. While you won't tell the exact age, you get a general feel for their stage in life. You should feed your juvenile ball python once a week. Tell us about your favorite ball python morphs in the comments below. Age Based on Length How can you tell the gender of a ball python? Because after that a ball python's weight can vary from 1200 to 1800 grams. ' In these cases, reptiles of the female gender, with no male interaction whatsoever, will spontaneously generate offspring. Some vipers display a related trait called sexual dichromatism, or different colors for males and females. Unlike in mammals, ovulation in snakes can be seen from the outside. It also tapers differently—starting out thick and then suddenly thinning out to the tip. While an overweight Ball Python is undoubtedly the more common issue, some pet Ball Pythons become underweight due to illness or the prolonged hunger strikes they're known for. They have a dark brown or black base with golden brown spots. They are called 'Ball Pythons' because, when frightened, they coil around their head and into a ball. Ball pythons are sexually dimorphic, as females usually reach much larger sizes than males. Often, this is most visible from above and many females begin to show a 'peaked' look along the spine. Ball python eggs incubate for 54 to 60 days. The pictures are in chronological order so you can see how she developed. That's because during the first couple of months, a ball python doesn't have full control over its hemipenes yet (if a male), so you can use this method easily. Head Size Relative To Body Most ball pythons reach total lengths of between 3 and 5 feet, although the occasional specimen may approach 6 feet in length. Female ball pythons will grow to around 3' to 5' in length, males to around 2' to 3'. He will father almost exclusively male or female bananas. After reaching three, their growth rate slows down considerably. However, as your ball python gets larger (up to a year old or so), you will need to either feed 2-3 mice, or switch to small adult rats. Both sexes are fully grown within three years. As your ball pythons reaches adulthood, which takes about two to three years, they will most likely need you to up the feeder size again. Stop placing the male ball python near her. You can tell Gluatmine and Acetycholine's there just from the fact that Ball Pythons go through the "Fight or Flight" crossroad. They feel secure when in close quarters and get stressed when they are in big, open spaces. A 5-foot ball python is considered big, although lengths of 6 feet or more have been reported. How do you tell the gender of a ball python? You should be prepared for this before you attempt to care for a ball python. A mature female ball python tends to be much larger than its male counterpart. First: If you're a breeder, you need to know the sex to help you determine who you are going to be breeding your snake to. Husbandry Is the Same Male and female ball pythons require similar husbandry. Infant pythons have an egg tooth on the tip of their snouts. The most obvious sign that your ball python is gravid is ovulation. Leave the snake to soak for 30 minutes to an hour. Each baby carrying the banana gene will have a 50% chance to be male or female. It can take from a few weeks to 6 months to occur. They use this to pierce the eggshell. If you suspect your ball python might have a parasite, contact your vet for treatment information. Male ball pythons tend to be 2 -3 feet in length, while females are around 3 - 5 feet in length. Although new, this morph has increased in popularity and you may have to pay upwards of $1,000 for an Acid Ball Python. Male ball pythons are curious in that they don't seem to be, shall we say, "in the mood" that often. Ovulation means that your ball python's eggs have ripened, and they're ready to be fertilized. Compared to their much larger "cousins," ball pythons don't get very big at all. In the older stages of life, the 20-30+-year-olds have faded their colors and patterns. Normal ball pythons have a brown base coloration. As with most pets, this happens unintentionally, often being mistaken for healthy growth and/or weight gain. Once your Mojave Ball Python reaches full-growth, you should expect her to be as big as 3 - 5 feet in length (or 2 - 3 feet long if a male.) Males are much smaller, and should be at least 700 grams before breeding. This could be a sign of disease or of it not getting enough heat.. 2. Although Ball pythons come from Africa and they live on or very close to the equator, where there is no light change (12/12), we still increase the length of darkness during the breeding season. Let your vet or a breeder do it for you. Ball pythons in particular will grow quite large and will require a proper living environment as they do. The Mojave is an incomplete dominant or what many refer to as Co-Dominant mutation that produces a Ball Python with various shades of browns, vibrant yellows, deep blacks, blue- grey body color, creamy highlights and flames. What Does Ball Python Poop Look Like. It's best to do this with a male and female of similar size in person, but looking at various images will give a good idea. If properly cared for . A ball python is a type of constrictor snake that gets its name from its tendency to curl up in a ball with its head protected in the center when threatened. 05-01-2012, 12:35 AM #6. sho220. ;Instead of the "alien head" we are used to seeing with . Males typically only reach 2.5 to 3.5 feet at the same age. I think the caramel glow ball python, for example, is a glorious looking animal. In the United States, they are called Ball Pythons because they curl themselves up into a little ball when they are nervous or scared. The shells also soften near the end of the incubation period. If the rod inserts only a short distance into the vent (toward the tail), the snake is female. Blake. But this method will help you accurately tell a ball pythons age till the age of 30 months. This is what they use when they lock and mate with females. Ball pythons that have just hatched are around 10 inches long, so depending on the age, your snake may be anywhere in between those lengths when you first get them. CG. While many snake species are quite shy and hiding is usual for them, if you notice that your pet's behavior changes and that it is hiding for prolonged periods of time, this could be a sign of a . Females typically reach an average adult length of around 4 to 4.5 feet (122 - 137 centimeters). Male Stimulus. The quickest way to get a male ball python ready for mating is to stick it in a cage full of other dude pythons. 14 hours dark - 10 hours of light. Your ball python's abdomen will look huge, as if she's swallowed a large meal. External parasites may cause discomfort, anemia, and inappetence. You should be prepared for this before you attempt to care for a ball python. Carpet pythons (Morelia spilota) may become darker as they approach parturition . But some of the most attractive ball pythons, in my opinion, are those that feature two or more mutations. But if a male banana ball python breeds, things are very different. 1. Males use them to stimulate and position females during mating, so their spurs are normally larger than females'. We start to adjust our lighting to make shorter days. However, as your ball python gets larger (up to a year old or so), you will need to either feed 2-3 mice, or switch to small adult rats. Place the mat under the tub and set to 82-84°F (27-28°C) , then fill it 1″ (2 cm) deep with electrolyte solution (75% sports drink, 25% water). For example, for a juvenile ball python, you can get a bag of frozen adult mice like this.Larger mice will be around 1-1.5 months old. Powerhouse females are not easy to come by plus by the time that power house female is ready to breed there will be more "powerful" powerhouse males available. Adults. In other countries, they are actually called the 'Royal' python. Try browsing the Ball Pythons Index if you're looking for something specific. Rinse the electrolyte residue off your ball python with . How to Tell If a Ball Python Is Underweight. A sick snake may hide or bury itself. When it comes to determining the gender of a ball python without probing, the tail is the place to look. But the Banana ball has dark-colored eyes where an albino's eyes are red. Ball pythons will grow to be different sizes based on their gender. Most pet Ball Pythons will grow at least three feet long. Gluatmine- Gives you an adrenaline rush. On the topic of a ball python laying eggs completely without a male, it sounds odd, but it is possible, even though it is a very rare phenomenon. The eggs may start to dimple as the embryos absorb more yolk and get closer to hatching. When he raises himself into a vertical position he is ready for the female. Ball pythons in particular will grow quite large and will require a proper living environment as they do. And that suits a lot of keepers just fine. How do i tell the sex of my ball python? Ball python obesity is an alarmingly common problem, and the reptile community is just barely becoming aware of it. If you're breeding females and this behavior matches the expected egg-laying . Internal parasites can cause inappetence, lethargy, and visible worms in stools. It can also reach up to 1800 to 2300 grams as well. The eggs may start to dimple as the embryos absorb more yolk and get closer to hatching. Insert the probe very gently until you feel resistance. A chunky appearance is sometimes praised by those who think that it makes the snake look "cuter." A male will typically top off at only 2.5 to 3.5 feet long, while a female can grow anywhere from 4 to 6 feet long. The Mojave Ball Python is one of the few species (and morphs) in which the female is usually larger than the male. We use natural sunlight spectrum bulbs in our room. You can weigh your ball python and compare the readings with this table to determine their age. Males will have a tail (the portion of the snake starting after the cloacal opening) that is thicker and longer than their female counterparts. All ball pythons are hatched at 10 to 17 inches long. It's not unusual for a male snake to stop eating for three to six months if he can smell an ovulating female. To get started, lower the ambient air temperature in your snakes' cages to the mid-70s Fahrenheit at night for 3 months, returning temperatures to normal during the day. Male has two hemipenes at the end of their tails. While male ball pythons will often grow to be 3-4 feet in length, female ball pythons will often grow to be 4-5 feet. Female ball pythons will grow to around 3' to 5' in length, males to around 2' to 3'. There are two methods to accurately determine the gender of your snake. Method #1: Popping Popping is a way to tell your ball python's gender when it's still a hatchling, but can be used with adult ball pythons too. The Acid Ball Python has only been known since 2015. Knowing and understanding what is normal and what isn't, helps you quickly identify if there are any problems, such as impaction or disease. Article Sources. As with most snakes, the weight of a ball python is a bit more important than the age of the snake when determining if the snake is ready for breeding. Ashley. Your snake may be lethargic and less active than before. Like before, you can start with large mice and then if needed move them to extra large mice around the three year mark. However, exceptions are common, so spur size is not a reliable criterion for distinguishing males from females. Pop-Sexing and Probing. The three (3) most effective ways to tell your ball python gender are probing, pooping, and physical attributes. Incubation. #1 Probing Probing technique to know ball python gender Keep in mind that when you wish to perform probing to identify your ball python gender, it is necessary to have experience and sufficient knowledge in completing the probe method. You can look at the shape and length of the tail to help you decipher whether or not your snake is a male. The spider Ball is one of them that got me interested in Ball Pythons in the first place and is a must have in every collection. In general, all ball pythons will have similar-looking poop. Do ball pythons lay eggs without mating? https://www.facebook.com/pages/GPreptiles/521818844545535http://instagram.com/gpreptiles_comhttp://www.gpreptiles.comHere is a video of how to determine sex . This shedding is called a pre-lay shed and is used by the female to form a nest. One difference between the two genders is that female ball pythons, on average, physically grow to be larger than male ball pythons. 2. With a consistent feeding schedule, females will reach four to five feet long in five years. Thanks. Enclosure: There are many different ways to keep a Ball python. The tail of a male ball python is thicker till the end, but the tail of a female ball python is slender and tapers off more gradually. Let the water warm up for about 15 minutes, then place the snake inside and close the lid. Male ball pythons become sexually mature when they reach about 500 to 700 grams in weight. There are a couple of reasons for wanting to know the sex of your snake. A female ball python should be at least 1200 grams before breeding, which she should reach at between 2 and 3 years of age. See Also: How to Tell If a Ball Python Is Pregnant (With Pictures) Respiratory Infections Determining whether a snake is gravid (carrying eggs) can be difficult, but here's a few tricks: Figure 3: a gravid female Ball Python. For more information, check out How It Works. The BEL ball python is grouped up with Ball ythons because of its origin and its characteristics that are unique to ball pythons. Dopamine- Makes you happy. Ball pythons are especially easy to pop-sex but if you have not been taught by a professional, never attempt it on your own. The last three pictures show how incredible looking she is as an adult. To get your male Ball Python into the mood for mating, a good trick is to put him in a cage full of other Ball Pythons. Conversely, with rat snakes, males are typically around 14% larger than females. Ball Pythons, Python regius (also know as Royal Python) are a relatively small and docile specie of snake, which are native to Western and West-Central Africa. Ball pythons (Python regius) may develop a stronger contrast between their light and dark pattern elements, while female green tree pythons often become pale blue during their reproductive cycle. Mojaves are typically very easy to recognize by what is commonly known as the "Mojave Pattern". Yes, it can be difficult to get a male python to be romantic in any sense, but there is one sure-fire trick. In ball pythons, females are slightly larger than males. A Banana ball's background comes in different shades of yellow and yellowish-orange. For those ball pythons aged 10-20, their colors begin to fade and don't line up quite like they used to. Prolonged Hiding. The same applies for probing which is tricky for any snake. This is how most do it. When a female banana ball python ovulates, she'll pass her banana gene onto about half of her eggs. In anacondas, females are roughly 4.7 times larger than males! You'll notice that your Ball pythons stay intertwined for a couple of days. Billie. Just wanted to hear what the more experienced python keepers have to say about that. The female will shed her skin a few weeks after ovulation. Lethargy. 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