Not a Lock - But in the Right Zipcode

So, with much trepidation, I decided to pair up Echo and Oliver last night. Echo is an '05 normal female, Oliver is my 100% het clown male.

I didn't see any locks last night, they were just checking each other out, and Oliver was crawling on top of Echo - so I figured they were off to a good start, she wasn't dominating him.

Came home today and got a bit excited, but then realized that it wasn't a lock, but at least they have the right idea! That's Echo's head peeking out, and Oliver's tail on the bottom.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...ahxOliver2.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...nahxOliver.jpg

BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!! It looks like Echo is trying to check out "the goods." :rofl:


Awesome pictures, Robin!!! I can't wait to see you showing off pics of those smooth white eggs and pippin' noses!! :hug:

Good Luck With The Pairing!!!

They are just trying to mess with you!!!

He's SOOO close!!! They'll definitely figure out very soon. Its always super encouraging to have a male that knows which end is which from the very beginning... :)

Justin

He'll get it yet! Congrat Robin...good luck on that pairing!:D

Thanks Judy and Trey! BTW, Echo also happens to be the girl in my avatar.


Can I mention I'm scared? LOL

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Originally Posted by jkobylka

He's SOOO close!!! They'll definitely figure out very soon. Its always super encouraging to have a male that knows which end is which from the very beginning... :)

Justin

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Well with a daddy as handsome as his - of course he'll get it right! BTW, he weighed in at 1300 grams last night, Echo at 1700+. She's also a very short snake, so she's got more bulk than my other two girls of the same weight.

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Originally Posted by JBallPython

He'll get it yet! Congrat Robin...good luck on that pairing!:D

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Thanks Jason! I'm trying not to disturb them too much, but all I want to do is lie on the floor in front of the tub and watch snakes getting it on! LOL

Oh I can see how that would get you all worked up, hope it works out for you! :)

How long does it usually take before they *ahem* do their business?

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Thanks Jason! I'm trying not to disturb them too much, but all I want to do is lie on the floor in front of the tub and watch snakes getting it on! LOL

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LOL...I disturb them anyways! Unlike most people...snakes don't seem to be bothered when they are interupted.:P

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Thanks Jason! I'm trying not to disturb them too much, but all I want to do is lie on the floor in front of the tub and watch snakes getting it on! LOL

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Ahhahahhaaa....that reminds me of when I put Ricky in with Lucy last year...Jeff and I would sit and watch them for what seemed like hours!

It is actually very interesting!

:)

Good luck Robin!

Did you at least put on some Barry White?

Ooooh, Oooooh - I think we're getting closer! I'm not convinced this is a true lock, maybe someone with more experience can give their opinion - but if they're not - they should be soon!

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...choxOliver.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...hoxOliver2.jpg

I love this picture - Echo's head on the left, Oliver's on the right
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...hoxOliver3.jpg

It certainly looks like they have every intent on making a lock, even if they have not yet. That does look promising! I'm psyched for ya!!

Robin congrat's thanks for sharing your excitement I hope they seal the deal for you.

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Originally Posted by jkobylka

He's SOOO close!!! They'll definitely figure out very soon. Its always super encouraging to have a male that knows which end is which from the very beginning... :)

Justin

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Hahahaha.... just the other day I was watching one of mine trying to lock up with his girl's neck... he still got an "A" for effort!!

Congrats Robin, I know how exciting it can be to root for those males!! Can't wait to see your new baby threads :)

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Originally Posted by rabernet

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e9...hoxOliver3.jpg

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Oh I hope it is Robin! Though I still think snakes mating is too funny. They look so incredibly bored by the whole process....."ya done yet?....nah, not yet....oh okay, well wake me up when you're through" :D

They looked lined up right to me Robin, but then again, when I'm not sure, I take a closer look. Congrats, it looks like you are definitely on your way to some eggs.

Looks like you got a lock. Congrats Robin, has Karl been giving him some tips?

"Houston we have successfully completed docking" :) Looks like they've got it Robin... especially if they stay in that position for any length of time, you can be pretty sure.

I'm so glad to see that Oliver is kicking butt for you! He needs a little halo. First of all he is the best looking het clown I've ever produced hands down, then he's a great eater and a great breeder - he's got it all! rofl.

Grants I bet your sooo excited right now.

Justin

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Ooooh, Oooooh - I think we're getting closer! I'm not convinced this is a true lock, maybe someone with more experience can give their opinion - but if they're not - they should be soon!

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Ive caught a few of mine locked up. Then hours/min or when ever they are done. Ive caught them laying like that. Maybe there just spooning. Since he couldnt just get up and go in the other room and watch tv.

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Originally Posted by muddoc

They looked lined up right to me Robin, but then again, when I'm not sure, I take a closer look. Congrats, it looks like you are definitely on your way to some eggs.

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I agree . . . from here they look like they're doing it. Congrats

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Originally Posted by muddoc

They looked lined up right to me Robin, but then again, when I'm not sure, I take a closer look. Congrats, it looks like you are definitely on your way to some eggs.

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How exactly do you take a closer look? :confused:

So, they were definitely locked later in the evening, and they were still locked when I got up at 5 this morning. What's the longest that anyone has had theirs locked?

I'm going to be following Adam's advice and do three days together, four day break, offering food to them on the first full day of the four off, then repeat.

Now, how often should I be doing this if I observe locks each time? She's the only female he'll be with this year. Winston's up to bat next with his two girls, but that will probably be in November.

Oh yaaaay! Just read the rest of your replies! From the last pictures that I posted, I went and laid in front of the tub again, and watched them. Every now and then his tail would move (as if he was stretching or repositioning). I did see them separate about an hour later (when I disturbed them by peeking in - so you lied Swede! :P )

However, they were back together an hour after that, and as far as I know, were locked up all night and into this morning.

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Originally Posted by jkobylka

"Houston we have successfully completed docking" :) Looks like they've got it Robin... especially if they stay in that position for any length of time, you can be pretty sure.

I'm so glad to see that Oliver is kicking butt for you! He needs a little halo. First of all he is the best looking het clown I've ever produced hands down, then he's a great eater and a great breeder - he's got it all! rofl.

Grants I bet your sooo excited right now.

Justin

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Probably one of the best eaters that I have. And my biggest '06 I believe.

OK everyone - send positive thought waves that all the offspring prove out to be het for clown (at least the girls! LOL). C'mon clown genes - do your thing!

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

Looks like you got a lock. Congrats Robin, has Karl been giving him some tips?

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;) :cool:

Wow Robin, how exciting! Best of luck to ya! :D

I'd like to know about this "closer look" thing too and what exactly that is so I'm better prepared this season.

Super excited for you robin....

Congrats Robin, I'm so excited for you. You better have a comfy spot on the floor because it's a LONG road still. ;)

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Originally Posted by rabernet

What's the longest that anyone has had theirs locked?

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So far the longest lock I've observed "I believe" was a little over 10 hours... I wasn't sitting there watching the entire time...it was his day to come out to feed the next day and when I went to separate him he was locked, so I intermittently checked on him until he was no longer locked up.

I've had them go up to 24 hours or so.

On some of my really really calm animals I can reach in and lift on up on the females tail just slightly, and see if the males tail is connected and moves with the females...

Remember though, you can freak them out and hurt your male, so I can't really recommend it. Either they're hooked up or they aren't, knowing it doesn't change anything... :)

Justin

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Originally Posted by jkobylka

On some of my really really calm animals I can reach in and lift on up on the females tail just slightly, and see if the males tail is connected and moves with the females...

Remember though, you can freak them out and hurt your male, so I can't really recommend it. Either they're hooked up or they aren't, knowing it doesn't change anything... :)

Justin

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Justin hit the nail on the head, and beat me too it. What he described is what I was talking about when I said I sometimes take a closer look. I also like Justin's warning in the last paragraph. If you attempt this, be very gentle.

Well, I'm certainly not interested in "breaking" Oliver - so I'll just have to assume that he's getting the job done! :D

Congrats Robin,I hope this pairing works out for you!!!


Neil

Woo! Go Oliver! Get some! :D

Don't know how I missed this thread but awesome! I'm happy for you :) Good luck on some eggies

Thanks everyone! No locks when I got home yesterday or last night before I went to bed, so I'm assuming that Oliver is done this session. Out tomorrow and back in on Tuesday! :D

Hope he respects her in the morning! :P

Congrats Robin! Can't wait to see the end product.