The growth of the follicles uses a great deal of the female’s reserves and so it is paramount that she has sufficient condition before the breeding cycle begins. As the follicles become extended with yolk, the ovaries swell and so the lower portion of the female’s body swells noticeably. A common error I have seen with inexperienced breeders is that they mistake this swelling for the snake becoming gravid. Because of this misinterpretation they stop putting their male(s) with the female and end up disappointed. Often I hear the explanation that “for some reason she reabsorbed the eggs”. This is not true. There is no definitive scientific evidence anywhere I am aware of that pythons reabsorb eggs. Once the eggs have passed into the oviducts they are beyond the point of no return. No absorptive mechanisms have been found in oviducts. If the eggs are not successfully fertilized, they will eventually be passed as unfertilized ova, or what are commonly called slugs.
http://www.southernxreptiles.com/RA%...ngPythons1.htm
