Ball Breeding Question-can't find an answer

[angie_85]

I have recently acquired 3 ball pythons. One male and 2 females. Here is the part that you're all going to be mad at me for: they are all housed together...lol. Ok so I got them a few months ago and they have apparntly all been housed together for a few years now, since they were all young. They are absolutely not related so I have no worries in that department, should they happen to breed. Now, I have read about the whole cooling them down and stuff before breeding them, which first of all makes no sense to me. I can not find any answers anywhere else so I have come here for some answers. Question 1: Why the whole cooling/fasting process? These snakes live pretty much on the equator, right? So why on earth do they need to be cool before breeding? I know there is a better word for it than "cooling" but I can't think of it right now. My second question is: Without the whole "cooling" process, and seeing as they have been housed together pretty much since babies, will they ever breed? They have not yet, they are all approximately 2.5-3.5 years old. I am assuming that since they have not bred so far that they will not until they are ready. I have no plans on seperating them at all. I would love to hear anyone's opinions about if you think they will breed, if they absolutely need the "cooling" and any helpful opinions. Thank you.