Breeding wieghts for Bloods

[whiteghostmonkey]

I have been told that if the female bloods are to fat they won't be able breed so i was wondering how you judge that?

[borneoblood151]

Hey,
Well, how fat is too fat? Bloods are a fat bunch any which way you look at it, and a skinny blood is one obviously not in good shape (under nourished, convalescing, etc.). A fat blood can and will reproduce regardless, of her fat content. (A skinny blood on the other-hand, might not, as she does not possess the necessary fat required for egg development during a long gestaton). Now if you're saying that a fat blood is lazy, then that is another thing altogether. If you have a normal male with good to normal weight on him, and he is pursuing a female that would be otherwise construed as fat, she can reproduce as most of the fat will be utilized during the gestation period and be put toward egg development (shelling, embryonic and yolk development etc.).
-Angel

[KLG]

Fat bloods more often than not produce duds. Period. Making bloods fat is a good way to be unsuccessful at breeding them.


Bloods should be robust, not fat. I'll take pics of some gravid females tomorrow.

K~

[borneoblood151]

Hey,
I agree that fat bloods (over-weight) are not healthy by any standard, however, there is no evidence to prove otherwise, that a fat blood should not be able to successfully reproduce and produce a viable clutch. If the proof is out there, I'd like to see it my-self. If it's hearsay, well, that's another matter. Fat is a necessary component of the gestation process in pythons, and without it, the fecundity rate is reduced, and eggs will no doubt be poorly shaped and calcified. Just my 2 cents!

-Angel

[KLG]

Hey,
I agree that fat bloods (over-weight) are not healthy by any standard, however, there is no evidence to prove otherwise, that a fat blood should not be able to successfully reproduce and produce a viable clutch. If the proof is out there, I'd like to see it my-self. If it's hearsay, well, that's another matter. Fat is a necessary component of the gestation process in pythons, and without it, the fecundity rate is reduced, and eggs will no doubt be poorly shaped and calcified. Just my 2 cents!

-Angel

Hey Angel - there's evidence every year of this problem. Just wait till you start hearing the bad egg complaints, and this is almost across the board for any boid species...even if people tend not to discuss their failures as readily.

We had almost 100 bad blood eggs in one year, from snakes that were all visibly overweight. Repeated conversations with the Barkers confirmed what was already known on that one.

Sure, fat is a necessary component to sustain a female through gestation...but obesity isn't. In fact, the same is true for many species of snake. It's a big reason why it took so long for folks to consistently produce Olive pythons in captivty, as well.

Just my $.02...and evidence. From Experience. It's called learning the hard way. :roll:

K~

[whiteghostmonkey]

But are there any means to measure obesety?......coz it can be difficult with animals you love to see it.....in much the same way some parents cant see there kids are fat. :smt023

[borneoblood151]

Hey Kara,
Humm, guess I'll have to plump-up one of my girls and see if it holds true. Just kidding! I hear rumors to that effect, however, as per written or documented evidence of the aforementioned, well I guess I haven't had that discussion with the Barkers, and no one has bred more pythons than those two. Thanks K!
-Angel