First Time Breeding

[pjvo]

Hi all,

So this is my first season attempting to breed boas. A female khal albino and a male double het snow. They have produced together in the past. They've been introduced for a little bit now. The male has attempted courting her on and off, it just seems that she hasn't been receptive to it yet. So I was just wondering if anyone had any tips that I could try or if just letting time take its course it what's necessary.

Thanks!

[Zincubus]

Maybe be worth trying RedTailBoas.net forum as well .... The more tips the better I'd imagine .

[JoshSloane]

If they have been together in the past, and have successfully mated then you will have a greater likelihood of success. How long have you left the male in with the female for? Were you present in the room the whole time? Sometimes they just need a bit to get warmed up to one another. I would bet that while you were away they might have copulated.

[AbsoluteApril]

Boas can take a long time to court before they actually breed, some females aren't receptive right away (or ever, even if they've bred before). It can take months. When you said the male is courting, what do you see him doing? What is the female doing?
I usually introduce the male and if they are staying apart or no courting is seen (usually late at night), I'll separate after about 3-5 days, then try reintroducing 2 weeks later, repeat, until I see actual courting.
There's not really anything *you* can do to entice them, besides some quite, darkness and Barry White music.

Edit to add - in all the boa litters I've had over the years, I've still never seen actual copulation, they don't 'lock up' like pythons do, they seem to prefer privacy.

[pjvo]

I introduced them the second week of September. They're together in increments of one week together, two weeks out, repeat... They spend 90% of the time in the enclosure together. I have seen him run his head up her back flicking his tongue on her, he has been spurring her, I've also noticed their tails together. However I wasn't able to see positive copulation and there was no "tail wagging". They have 8 hours of daylight and slightly lower than normal summer temperatures.

Thanks for for your replies!
-PJ