How to Successfully Breed Ball Pythons

Make sure the snakes have reached maturity before breeding. It is important that the reptiles you intend to breed are old enough and large enough. A male ball python typically needs to weigh over 400 grams and be at least one year old. While females as small as 1200 grams have been successfully bred, we recommend that female ball pythons be at least 2 years old and 1800 grams in order to breed. The process is too demanding on smaller snakes to produce a viable clutch of eggs for incubation.

It is best to be sure of the sex of the snakes you intend to breed. "Popping" and "Probing" are two ways that can help in determining the genders.

In order to become fertile, a cool-off period is required. The ambient air temperature needs to be in the lower 70's (F) for a period of about two weeks. The basking spot in the cage should be reduced to 82 degrees.

After the cool spell, the temperatures can be returned to normal.

Be sure to offer your snakes a meal before breeding

Placing a male in the cage of the female.

Try not to disturb them. Leave them together for three weeks. After three weeks rest the male for a week and repeat the process from October until February.

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