Pre Lay Signs

[NorthernRegius]

Have an update and question with this one.

First the update. While I do not have a picture of it, she shed exactly 16 days from when I noticed, what I believed to be, her ovulating. This was a great sign and made me even more anxious about this girl.

Now the question. Today, for no real reason, maybe just to reinforce my belief that she is going to lay soon, I introduced my het pied male into her enclosure, expecting them both to act as if the other was not in the tub. Now I have introduced him to her about once per month for the last two months and they have been totally uninterested in each other. Today is different. He wasn't in her tub for more than two hours, when I found them locked again. This baffles me. I have never seen this personally, nor have I read this from anyone else. Hopefully this is more common that what I experienced.

Assuming that what I saw was her ovulating, and assuming that her shedding was a pre-lay shed, and not just a huge coincident, what is going on?

Has anyone else encountered a female that would lock up with a male shortly before she is expected to lay?

Has anyone ever attempted this before, purposely or accidentally?

Any and all insight is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

John

I've never had a gravid female lock, but one building follicles... yes. And yes, snakes can & will shed throughout the breeding process. If a female is gravid, she will usually avoid the male.

Based on that, I suggest you continue to cycle the male with her until she refuses him- at least once a week.