2003 Ball Python Breeding Updates Breeding '03: I am working with five females this season. VPI has generously loaned me a drop-dead gorgeous pastel male for 2003's breeding attempts. I have put the pastel in with three normal females. I am also breeding my albino male to two females.

UPDATE June '03: Eggs hatched (6/14/03) See photos above. My female Nessa, (HW94.09re) was found with 10 eggs in her coils. (4/21/03) There were 6 pastels and 4 normals. The sex ratio was 9.1 total. This is her fourth clutch of eggs for me. She is a terrific female I purchased from OS in 1994.

UPDATE August '03: Eggs hatched 8/12/03 There were 3 pastels and 3 normals. The sex ratio was 1.5 total. This female Natasha, (HW00.04re) was bred to the VPI pastel male. She ovulated on 4/22/03. She shed on (5/16/03) and laid 6 eggs (6/16/03) Natasha is the daughter of the first female (Nessa) This was her first breeding season.

UPDATE August '03: My third female Lilly, (HW95.02re) had been mating with the pastel male but I'm not expecting any eggs from her this season.

UPDATE August '03: My fourth female is my three year old het-albino female. There were some promising copulations early this season but the female was a touch and go feeder which effected her weight, and ultimately her breeding ability. She is not expected to lay eggs this year, but she will be bred again next year to the albino male.

UPDATE August '03: Babies hatched in October 2003. There were 1.4 babies that came out not looking like perfect tigers, but they are very nicely banded. There were 5 fertile eggs laid 8/8/03. See photos above. Eggs are due to hatch October 1st. Female five is my reduced pattern girl Beauty I bred her to my albino male who was raring to go. He is a terrific reduced pattern animal that I have always wanted to pair up with this female.