Ball Python Breeding Ovulation: Signs, Swelling & Timeline

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BALL PYTHONS BREEDING OVULATION:

During the weeks prior to Ball Python breeding ovulation, the hard masses that can be felt in the belly of female ball pythons are termed follicles. Follicles are not eggs. A follicle is an egg cell surrounded by one or more layers of follicle cells, and this mass represents the genetic material the female parent will contribute to the offspring. The male’s sperm will pass his half of the genetic material to the offspring. Ball pythons are not truly gravid (pregnant) before ovulation. Even though the follicles may be large enough to palpate, they have not yet been fertilized by sperm, so they are not eggs at this stage. Follicles can be reabsorbed prior to ovulation, so just because your female has follicles does not guarantee that she will lay eggs.

When ball python breeding ovulation occurs, the female will swell at about the last third of her body. In most females this ovulation swelling lasts around 12 hours, with peak swelling in the middle of that period, but some females may remain noticeably swollen for 24 hours or more. The swelling is obvious and looks as if the female has eaten a very large meal. It is caused by the follicles being released and the female’s muscular efforts to move them into the oviducts. In the oviducts, the follicles are fertilized by sperm that has traveled there in the days or weeks after mating. While in the oviduct, proteins and calcium are deposited to form the eggshell. At this point the female is truly gravid and carrying eggs; eggs, whether fertile or slugs, cannot be reabsorbed.

I hope this information helps some first time breeders. Thank you for your time.

Best of luck,

Living Art Reptiles™.

Source Information:
Joe Compel.
Photos: Joe Compel.

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