![]() Average life span in the wild is reported to be 10 years. Reports document the maximum lifespan in captivity ranges from 28 years (at the Oakland Zoo) up to 50 years (reported by the Philadelphia Zoo). The average lifespan of ball pythons in captivity is 20 years. Ball pythons also stay in close proximity to eggs to protect them from predators. Once female ball pythons lay their eggs, they consistently ball around the eggs for protection. Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male) 16 to 18 months.Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female) 27 to 31 months.Breeding season Breeding is from mid-September through mid-November, correlating with the minor rainy season.Breeding interval Breeding occurs yearly.The probe will travel deeper into the base of the tail for male ball pythons, spanning 8 to 10 subcaudal scales in contrast to females in which the probe may be only inserted a distance of 2 to 4 subcaudal scales. Humans can determine python sex by placing a probe through the cloacal spur and into the inverted hemipenis. Both male and female ball pythons have large cloacal spurs. Males reach reproductive maturity at 16 to 18 months. Female ball pythons reach reproductive maturity from 27 to 31 months. Weight at birth is 65 to 103 grams, with an average of 86 grams. After the eggs are no longer attached and are ready to hatch, baby ball pythons slit the shells with their egg tooth and work their way out. A few days before hatching they lose their adhesion. The breeding season is primarily from mid-September through mid-November, correlating with the minor rainy season. ( Aubret, et al., 2002)īall pythons have long reproductive lives that last from about 27 months to 30 years. ![]() Hatchlings are immediately independent, but remain in the vicinity for months after. ( De Vosjoli, et al., 1995) ReproductionĪfter laying their clutch of eggs, female ball pythons coil around their clutches until hatched (after approximately 2 months). Approximately 3 weeks after ovulation, a female ball python begins to shed its skin. Eggs are then hatched from mid-April to mid June. Most ball pythons lay their eggs during the second half of the dry season, from mid-February to the beginning of April. The gestation period is about 44 to 54 days.
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