Few Breeding Questions

[piper]

Hey Everyone,
This will be my first year breeding. I have about 7 females that are in the 1600-3000 gram range. Very nice normal females. These are all from a friend whom I have bought the majority of my snakes from. Anyways, just a few questions:
1) When is to late to start breeding during breeding season? Reason I ask this, is the majority are eating, but I still feel they could use a few good sized rats to bring them back up to weight. I understand some people can do it year round, I would prefer to stick the breeding season.

2) Now, what are some tricks that I can use for the males. I have read through a few threads, but what are some main ones. Misting? I know some people just throw them in the tubs, and it works. I just want to know what to do if this isn't the case. Right now, I have a male yellowbelly and a male fire that I'm looking to pair them up with. I also have my bumblebee thats about 500 grams now, may try him later in the season as well.

It is my first year, so I'd like to know all the information before I start really trying to pair them up.

For males that are between 700-800 grams, how long would you leave them with the females? I've heard 3 days on, 3 days off. I was thinking 2 days because it is there first year, I would offer food the second night, 24 hrs. to digest and back in with the females.
For cooling, do you cool both the males and females? I don't know if that sounds like a stupid question or not, but I would just like to know.

Thanks a lot and appreciate anyone that can help me with this.

[dreese88]

The thing about breeding snakes in captivity, is that there is no real "breeding season" per say. Some people may say it's from Oct-Nov to April or May, but if you think they still need to be bred into the summer then absolutely, go for it. Personally, my first lock was last year at around Christmas and I had eggs on 5/15.

I didn't use any tricks to get my snakes to breed, but if you're having trouble getting them to copulate, then you can either pop a sperm plug off of a different breedable male, put different male's shed in with the snakes you're trying to get to breed or mist them. If you're going to try one of these, you may as well try them all.

As far as cooling goes, many breeders don't even worry about it. Usually in the winter the temperature of the room will drop so that you don't need a night drop. If you insist though, i would probably cool both males and females.

hope this helps

[piper]

The thing about breeding snakes in captivity, is that there is no real "breeding season" per say. Some people may say it's from Oct-Nov to April or May, but if you think they still need to be bred into the summer then absolutely, go for it. Personally, my first lock was last year at around Christmas and I had eggs on 5/15.

I didn't use any tricks to get my snakes to breed, but if you're having trouble getting them to copulate, then you can either pop a sperm plug off of a different breedable male, put different male's shed in with the snakes you're trying to get to breed or mist them. If you're going to try one of these, you may as well try them all.

As far as cooling goes, many breeders don't even worry about it. Usually in the winter the temperature of the room will drop so that you don't need a night drop. If you insist though, i would probably cool both males and females.

hope this helps

I've only paired them twice now, my biggest girl completely squished my fire male. He's almost 800 grams now, but she's just under 3000 grams! it was quite the sight haha..

My fire is in shed now, so when he sheds I'll start putting the sheds in with the females.

Anyone else have any input or has it all been said?

Thanks

[dreese88]

I've only paired them twice now, my biggest girl completely squished my fire male. He's almost 800 grams now, but she's just under 3000 grams! it was quite the sight haha..

My fire is in shed now, so when he sheds I'll start putting the sheds in with the females.

Anyone else have any input or has it all been said?

Thanks

Only put the fire's shed in when you're breeding the YB to the females. Also as far as breeding frequency, you don't need to breed them as often as many people do. People do 3 on 3 off when they have a lot of females for a male to cycle through. I would only try 3 days once every two weeks and that should do the job effectively enough without wearing out your males!

[ace_singapore]

I will try very hard to put that male bee to work soon. And you have 2 males to rotate thru 7 females, make sure you keep all the records in details that may help you much later, good luck.

[piper]

I will try very hard to put that male bee to work soon. And you have 2 males to rotate thru 7 females, make sure you keep all the records in details that may help you much later, good luck.

I do have a bumblebee male as well, but he needs a few more meals before I start putting him near the females. He's about 550 grams right now.