Having a problem... male refuses to breed now?

I bred Yukon to Blissey first in the beginning of November, something like November 5th. I had to use the "put another male in" tactic to get Yukon to breed, and then he locked with her twice within a few days then.

It's been over a month before I'm trying to pair them again, and the male refuses to breed now and shows no interest at all. He also seems worn out (even after doing nothing) after a couple days, like a limp noodle when I took him back out. (I tried putting another male in again, but it didn't do anything this time)

I understand sometimes it just doesn't work out, so I waited something like 4 days and paired them again... left them at it for another 2 days, tried the adding a male trick again- still no interest from the male.

I don't think the female is even close to ovulation, after staring at her some more LOL. She's thick in the middle, but doesn't have that thick tail end that ovulating females have. So I don't think that's the reason. And that they've only locked once/twice.

Tips on what's going on with the male? I wouldn't really mind if I don't get a clutch, but I'd like to find out why he's suddenly no interest in breeding.

Info on my snakes:
male is around 850g and 1 year 3 months old
female is a 2012 and over 2000g, has had a few clutches before

Although I may not help much, at least I can try to make you feel better by letting you know that I too have the same problem with my stingerbee male, he locked 2 months ago and afterwards he just was not interested, I put in him today after trying 2-3 things and he seems to be more receptive.
Crazy balls...
I hope you can produce some nice BELs, I am trying to do the same but with a Butter Lesser to Lesser
Best of luck!

Maybe you raised a gentleman?


I wonder if they had a nice feed and some silk flowers, or a snakey version of wine and dine to set the mood... :D

How often are you pairing? You honestly don't need many locks to get the job done. One lock a month is good enough, so he may just need a break. Even though he's a nice breeding weight all males aren't breeding machines. So I'd give him a nice break and then try again a little later. Wait for a big storm rain or snow and pair them up then. Storms usually get the males frisky and ready to breed! Good luck my friend, keep us updated :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Like I said, it's been a month since he last paired. I only have this one pair, so not sure where the breeding machine idea came from. He's had a full month rest LOL.

I actually paired him this time during a couple rainy days too, but no luck. :\

They could have locked up for a shorter time that you didn't notice and is why he seemed lethargic. Was there crap all over the box? I usually take that as a good sign they probably got busy and I missed the visual lock. While I'm not breeding hundreds of snakes, I've never needed to add another male to get one motivated and that's with 2 of the males I'm using this year being pretty small and their first season. It seems to work for some people but I would guess could also have the opposite effect on a more timid male so I'd honestly not bother doing that again. If they locked once before it'll happen again. Just be patient and make sure he gets a few meals in before trying in a couple weeks and like mentioned, one lock is all it takes sometimes. Good luck!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by redshepherd

Like I said, it's been a month since he last paired. I only have this one pair, so not sure where the breeding machine idea came from. He's had a full month rest LOL.

I actually paired him this time during a couple rainy days too, but no luck. :\

---

I didn't mean for that to come across as you were breeding him Like a machine, just was pointing out that some males are breeding machines and can go through multiple females with ease. Like those males that would probably try and lock with a stick lol. But I was just saying that some males aren't breeding machines and can barely handle one female lol. I didn't mean to offend you at all if I did.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HannahLou

They could have locked up for a shorter time that you didn't notice and is why he seemed lethargic. Was there crap all over the box? I usually take that as a good sign they probably got busy and I missed the visual lock. While I'm not breeding hundreds of snakes, I've never needed to add another male to get one motivated and that's with 2 of the males I'm using this year being pretty small and their first season. It seems to work for some people but I would guess could also have the opposite effect on a more timid male so I'd honestly not bother doing that again. If they locked once before it'll happen again. Just be patient and make sure he gets a few meals in before trying in a couple weeks and like mentioned, one lock is all it takes sometimes. Good luck!

---

Thanks- I'm sure they haven't, because I check pretty often and every time I check, he barely even moved/changed position. Overall, he starts seeming lethargic only a few hours in, without even courting behavior. The enclosure is clean as can be too LOL.

Yeah, I'll try next time without adding the other male. It helped immediately the first time, but who knows.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AlexisFitzy

I didn't mean for that to come across as you were breeding him Like a machine, just was pointing out that some males are breeding machines and can go through multiple females with ease. Like those males that would probably try and lock with a stick lol. But I was just saying that some males aren't breeding machines and can barely handle one female lol. I didn't mean to offend you at all if I did.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

I see, no offense taken!

I have two males I'm putting with four females. One of my males always wants to lock up and the other one would rather just push the female off the hot spot. I hope the one guy can get the job done. I have been seeing locks with him about every week. The other male only witnessed one lock and now he seems uninterested. Maybe he knows she isn't ready and doesn't want to waste his energy. Lol

I read somewhere that if you have a second mature male, you can pop it and place the sperm plugs on the female's back. That can trigger the guy without having the second male in the enclosure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sallos

I read somewhere that if you have a second mature male, you can pop it and place the sperm plugs on the female's back. That can trigger the guy without having the second male in the enclosure.

---

I read that around too- I'd try it, but no idea how to pop them. I watched a video and tried it before, but it just didn't work and I'd prefer to avoid any risks hurting him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by redshepherd

I read that around too- I'd try it, but no idea how to pop them. I watched a video and tried it before, but it just didn't work and I'd prefer to avoid any risks hurting him.

---

For me, its more difficult to pop a male when they are older. They are much stronger.

I can't pop my adult males either.

I put them together again a couple days ago, for a couple days, and still the male suddenly acts lethargic and completely shows no interest. I'm starting to give up on this pairing if he keeps acting like a gentleman. :/

That stinks! Have you tried pairing them in both tubs? Blissy in Yukon's tub and vice versa?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by redshepherd

Thanks- I'm sure they haven't, because I check pretty often and every time I check, he barely even moved/changed position. Overall, he starts seeming lethargic only a few hours in, without even courting behavior. The enclosure is clean as can be too LOL.

Yeah, I'll try next time without adding the other male. It helped immediately the first time, but who knows.

---

How often do you check? Maybe you need to leave them alone for some time?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Do they make lingerie for snakes?

It may be the female. I have a few that will breed once or twice and refuse after that. I actually have one female that will typically breed once and then four or five months later ovulate. Try once a month or so just in case.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cletus

Do they make lingerie for snakes?

---

AHAHAHA That's hilarious!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kxr

How often do you check? Maybe you need to leave them alone for some time?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

I don't need actually to disturb them to check, because I can see into the tub. They're always just curled on their own spots, tails not even close. And I work from home, so I'm home all day if that says something lol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sallos

That stinks! Have you tried pairing them in both tubs? Blissy in Yukon's tub and vice versa?

---

I haven't tried Blissey in Yukon's tub yet, so I'll try that next time!