Feeding and Breeding

[pariahdog]

I'm doing 3 days on, 4 days off with my virgin snakes. We have a storm coming in today or tomorrow, but I can tell they're both hungry, especially the female. Today is supposed to be their "on" day. Should I feed today and put them together tomorrow? Or can they wait a few more days?

[Tigerhawk]

How often do you breed them. You don't have to breed them every few days to get a fertile clutch. I breed mine once every thirty days. Or until I see the female ovulate. I got a clutch of six eggs from one of my females this morning following this breeding routine. All of the eggs are fertile, however I do have one little bob egg. Of which Iam not sure will hatch. However time will tell. This method also keeps you from over breeding your male as well. I once thought that you had to breed them often as well when I first started. I hope this helps.

[pariahdog]

I only started putting them together last week. The 3 days that they were together, I didn't see a lock. It is both of their first times so I don't think either of them know what to do yet.

[Daigga]

Pairing them together once a month or so should be plenty. This way you don't have to worry about breeding attempts interfering with feedings or sheds. I have heard of males having issues with over breeding, but I don't have enough experience in breeding to say how, why, or if it happens.

[Tigerhawk]

Don't get discouraged, they are professional snakes. They will do what they do when they are ready. Often it's the male who is a little slow. Just stick with our advice above. If you can get the shed skin from another male,put it in with the two of them. Sometimes that encourages the males to breed. Sometimes it's just the fact that they need time. But they should breed for you.

[JoshSloane]

I usually offered food during breeding season, but if they didn't take I was never too worried. I would have some males that wouldn't even look at a rat when he was courting females, yet I would have others that take it no problem. If your females have been eating regularly before breeding time comes around you should be set.