Definite Lock

[Jay_Bunny]

I woke up this morning and went down to check on the lovebirds (I really do need to leave them alone) and I saw a definite lock. I didn't get a picture since I didn't want to disturb them too much, but I lifted a tail and saw a for sure lock. I'm about to just start dancing, this is so exciting.

[starmom]

YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so happy for you!!!

[scales owner]

Very cool good luck!!!!

[Jay_Bunny]

So if I saw them lock for sure yesterday and right now they are apart from each other, should I seperate and try to feed them? Or should I just leave them alone for another day and hope they lock again. I'm planning on seperating them tomorrow if they don't lock up again. Is it common practice to seperate them after a successful lock or is it the in for 3 days, out for 3 days routine (# of days may vary)

[muddoc]

First of all, Congrats. As for the breeding, I would pull the male out, and leave them seperated for at least a week. I find that most females only require a copulation about 1 a month to become gravid. Once you start to feel follicles during palpation, you may want to introduce them more often. Just remember that no matter how excited you are, and how much you want to see locks every day, patience should still be applied. It is possible to overwork your male (when it is not necessary), and if you work him too hard, it is possible that he will get sick and could die in the most extreme cases. Once again, congrats on the lock, and give those love birds a break, and a well deserved meal.

[Jay_Bunny]

Since I did see a definite lock yesterday I figured it would be a good idea to give them a rest and a meal, but I wasn't sure if it is best to keep them together for a few days even if a lock was observed. The female also looks like she's going to shed in the next week or so. She's getting really dark. Maybe once she has shed, I'll put them back together. Should I keep the shed in with them? I've heard that it stimulates them to breed if you keep a shed in the tank during breeding.

[Drew87]

Congrats man, you started Quick, haha

[Jay_Bunny]

When I checked on them, they were still apart, so I seperated them and put Xefaud (the male) back into his own tub and gave him a nice weaned rat. Still cleaning cages so I haven't gotten to the girl's yet, but she'll get a clean cage and a meal.

My 2nd largest girl is only nearing 900g so she's probably not going to go this season. Maybe very late this coming spring or early summer, but not anytime soon. She's an '06. My '07 normal girl is gaining weight like there's no tomorrow, and I don't feed large prey items or too often. She's 775g. When I got her in late August of last year she was a wee 90g. (I think she was actually smaller then that) So she's gained a lot in a year. I can't wait till next season when I get to pair her up with someone.