Breeding temperatures, but not brumation questions

[angllady2]

Ok, so I did a search and found LOTS of info on brumation, or cooling of ball pythons for breeding.

My question is a little bit different.

I have at this time four breeding size females, two of which top 2,600 grams, and 3 breeding size males.

My balls are housed quite comfortably I believe, although I do not use the standard size tubs for my big snakes. My tubs are actually drawers, and measure 20 X 20 X 11 inches high. The floor space is quite comparable to the 41 quart tubs everyone seems to use, but I really prefer the height of my drawers. My snakes all eat and shed and grow perfectly like they are. BUT my two biggest girls take up the majority of these drawers, there is room for a water dish and hide but not much else, and I can't imagine putting my 1,100 gram pastel male in there, there would be no room at all!

Long story short, I invested in a 90 quart tub for breeding purposes. It is quite long enough for even my biggest breeders to be together comfortably. My plan is to place one male into this tub and rotate the females through him, on for three days off for two. Each male would spend about 14 days in the tub before going back to his home tub and a new male will move in.

My question is: Should I keep the breeding tub heated the same as I do my home tubs? Since each male will only be in the tub for a short time, would he be ok without heat? My ambient room temp stays around 76-78. I only want what is best for my babies, so if it needs to be heated, you can bet I will be heating it.

Gale

[dr del]

Hi,

I'm not the best qualified to answer this but I'll get the ball rolling with my 2c.

Snakes need heat all the time and I think any snake you keep for any length of time (especially two weeks ) without even providing the normal cool end temp is going to have trouble as a result.

They definately couldn't eat and digest a meal and I'd be worried it suppressed their immune system and lead to flare ups like RI's.

The second problem with the idea is both snakes are going to be in new surroundings - I'd be worried that would actively put them off breeding.

I would honestly take the hide out of the females tub and put the male in with her (at the normal temps ) and see what happens. My females always seem to wreck the tubs at that point and I don't clean it up until I'm pulling the male. Either because I have seen a lock or because the three days is up.

Also look around for the various hints on getting reluctant breeders going - there are quite a few to try.


dr del

[Adam Chandler]

Hi,

I'm not the best qualified to answer this but I'll get the ball rolling with my 2c.

Snakes need heat all the time and I think any snake you keep for any length of time (especially two weeks ) without even providing the normal cool end temp is going to have trouble as a result.

They definately couldn't eat and digest a meal and I'd be worried it suppressed their immune system and lead to flare ups like RI's.

The second problem with the idea is both snakes are going to be in new surroundings - I'd be worried that would actively put them off breeding.

I would honestly take the hide out of the females tub and put the male in with her (at the normal temps ) and see what happens. My females always seem to wreck the tubs at that point and I don't clean it up until I'm pulling the male. Either because I have seen a lock or because the three days is up.

Also look around for the various hints on getting reluctant breeders going - there are quite a few to try.


dr del

Dr. Del pretty much covered it. I would not recommend putting both in a unfamiler enclosure. I've alway read introduce the male into the females enclosure. That what I've done and have had not problems doing it like that. If space is an issue maybe try taking out the hide or putting in a smaller waterbowl.