some questions I can't find answers to.... sorry!

[Salem]

Hey guys, so I know this info is on this site SOMEWHERE, but I can't seem to find it all in one convient place.....
can anyone help me out!! I have about 2 years before my snakes are ready so I have time to understand but I just want to know everything I can before I venture into this!

sooooo here's my questions.
1. size of female should be larger then 1800g correct?
2. size of male???
3. I have read info onthis but still don't understand the pre-breeding steps/time line, can someone lay this out for me?
(ex - Oct, lower temps/stop offering food, Nov - Jan allow snakes to breed.... I just haven't quite figured all that out)
4. once snakes have bred, how long till eggs are laid?
5. once eggs are laid and in the egg tub in incubator, how long till they hatch?

sorry I know these answers are on here somewhere but I keep finding bits and pieces of what I need....

[Yamitaifu]

1. Many people start at 1500 grams but 1800 is safer
2. Males should be about 700 grams or 1.5 lbs
3. Personally i havent lowered any temps or stopped feedings and i know many other breeders dont either. Starting in november start introducing the snakes. About 3 days in for a male and then 4 off. Try to feed both during this time period and monitor any weight loss if the stop eating. Do this several times or until ovulation.
4. Its hard to say because sperm can be retained for months before fertilization. Once this takes ovulation occurs which lasts for about a day or two. Three weeks later they will go into a prelay shed. About 30-40 days after the shed the female will lay the eggs.
5.eggs generally hatch in 52-60 days depending on incubation temps, humidity and if any power outages occurred.

Hopefully this helps


Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy snakes and that's pretty close

[OctagonGecko729]

Hey guys, so I know this info is on this site SOMEWHERE, but I can't seem to find it all in one convient place.....
can anyone help me out!! I have about 2 years before my snakes are ready so I have time to understand but I just want to know everything I can before I venture into this!

sooooo here's my questions.
1. size of female should be larger then 1800g correct?
2. size of male???
3. I have read info onthis but still don't understand the pre-breeding steps/time line, can someone lay this out for me?
(ex - Oct, lower temps/stop offering food, Nov - Jan allow snakes to breed.... I just haven't quite figured all that out)
4. once snakes have bred, how long till eggs are laid?
5. once eggs are laid and in the egg tub in incubator, how long till they hatch?

sorry I know these answers are on here somewhere but I keep finding bits and pieces of what I need....

1. Many folks breed as low as 1200g if the female looks in good condition. By the time she ovulates usually she will hit that 1500-1800g. However, first time breeders should probably shoot for the 1500g mark.
2. Males I would prefer to be 700g+, there are many cases of males dieing from overbreeding. You can still kill a 1200g+ male though if you dont know what your doing.
3. Some folks drop temps, others dont. You will have to find out what works for your animals.
4. Its better to go by ovulations, usually 45 days after ovy they will lay.
5. 50-65 days depending on heat and whether you cut or not.

[Neal]

1500 grams for a young female, but 1200 for an older female that has already laid quite a few clutches. I personally wouldn't do a male under 500grams, and the only way I'd do 500 is if he's producing plugs. I like to wait around the 600 range just as preference. As far as lowering temperatures, you're not required to and most people don't although some people do it.

The laying of eggs can vary because of the ability to retain sperm, so I won't be the one to give you a date on that and then you get mad at me . Also just because you visually see a lock doesn't mean you should expect babies.

[Salem]

that helps a lot! thanks guys!

also, lets say I start pairing Dec 1st. I heard you are supposed to leave them together for a couple days, then remove male. how many times do you do this? what is the time frame for that?

[Neal]

that helps a lot! thanks guys!

also, lets say I start pairing Dec 1st. I heard you are supposed to leave them together for a couple days, then remove male. how many times do you do this? what is the time frame for that?

If you've properly quarantined everything, then most people do a 3 day in, 3 days out. I on the other hand will most likely do 3 days in, 4 days out because it completes a week cycle.

[Salem]

If you've properly quarantined everything, then most people do a 3 day in, 3 days out. I on the other hand will most likely do 3 days in, 4 days out because it completes a week cycle.

thanks, how many times do you do this? like for 3 weeks? 4 weeks?

[Yamitaifu]

i usually keep this going until i see that the female has ovulated or is going to lay eggs. i always want to make sure that the male has done his job and ill get eggs

[Salem]

i usually keep this going until i see that the female has ovulated or is going to lay eggs. i always want to make sure that the male has done his job and ill get eggs

i know all snakes are different, but is that usually a month? or more? I am not real sure on the ovulation thing either, I am used to dogs... they are easier to breed.... lol
signs of ovulation are looking like they had a large meal or full of eggs right?

[Yamitaifu]

its hard to give a specific time period that it could take for fertilization to take place. i would keep introducing until either ovulation or if i miss it then for the female to act like she has eggs

during ovulation the lower 2/3 of their body looks like they just ate a large meal. ovulation usually only lasts a day or two. in some snakes its very obvious but in others its easy to miss.