Full locks and Voyeurism

When observing lock-ups, what signals produce confidence in your mind that a successful lock actually occurred? Merely having tails together doesn't mean a home run was hit, right? Here are a couple pics from two occasions. (I'm talking about insemination not conception of course).

Event #1

Lining up the bodies is a good indicator he's doing some romancing. (next pic is close-up)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g...303_070721.jpg

Close-up reveals his tail-wrap. Seems like he's definitely going for it!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_...303_070729.jpg

Event #2:

I like the look of that tail curl. (Toes curling? :) )

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--...s512/image.jpg

I think he needs a cigarette and some time off.

What do you look for?

Looks good, I have a male that I paired on Tuesday. It's now Thursday and this morning they were still locked. I hope they take a break today, so that I can move him back to his tub for some rest. So I guess what I'm saying, is if they lock like yours for a period of time you should be ok. However you will not know for sure until you get fertile eggs. From your female.

^^^ Correct! There is no way to know whether insemination occurred, we can only determine if the act happened. All I look for is a "lock" Once I see the end of the tails wrapped and curled (like you said, toes curling LOL) I consider it a done deal, especially if they are like that for hours. But 99% of the time a male will lock with a female if she's ready. I haven't had a male not lock with a female... YET *knock on wood*.