Okay... so is THIS a good lock??

[Lolo76]

The last "lock" I showed a picture of was definitely a questionable one... but when I checked on them today, I found this:

Looks like a good one to me!





Assuming that was a good one, can they get "pregnant" (or whatever you call the steps leading up to being gravid) from one or two tries? I'll keep introducing them until it's obvious she's gravid/ovulating, but just wondering how long I have to prepare! I've only experienced this miracle with mammals, so the whole process is still a bit confusing to me... even after reading the McCurley chapter on breeding like 5 times.

[OhhWatALoser]

If its not a lock, their trying

good luck

[spitfireashlea]

Yep yep.

[Lolo76]

Thanks! They were still like that when I checked a little while ago, so if nothing else they're definitely trying. Btw, they are half in & half out of their hide (litter box I made them last night), in case the pictures look weird... I tried removing the hides altogether, but it stressed out Mona too much.

[icygirl]

I feel your pain... I had a few "is that a lock??" moments when I first paired my bp's a while back. If it's not a lock, though, it's definitely courtship, which means they'll do it eventually, if this wasn't "it". It's terrible waiting for a real one though. I got my first *definite* lock on Saturday, and after seeing a few maybe-locks, it was thrilling!

Actually, looking closer at your pics, it seems like the places where their vents would be are a little far apart compared to confirmed locks I've seen in pictures. But hey, I'm new to breeding, so who knows?

Good luck to you, and keep pairing them up, they'll get there

[Lolo76]

Thanks for the replies! Keep in mind that there's a big size/age difference between them, in case that alters your perception of where things are... he's about 575g and she is nearly 2000g. What can I say, my girl is a cougar.

[pythontricker]

Lucky! lol i hope i see this in the next couple of days with my pair! Good luck with your next clutch!

[Lolo76]

Thanks! This is actually my FIRST clutch ever, so I'm more excited than you can imagine... but I am sooooo not a patient person, and know the next few months (??) will be torture.

[pythontricker]

How long have they been in the same tub for?

[Lolo76]

Fyi, the lovebirds are still together, but seem to be done locking for the time being... I'll leave him there until tonight/tomorrow, just in case he has another burst of energy.

I read somewhere (Markus Jayne's site?) to look for about 5-6 good locks, before assuming the female is gravid... is that a common rule-of-thumb, and/or does it often happen with the first connection? I also just remembered they were introduced in early September, for about 24 hours before I decided to wait a few more weeks. Not sure if they locked during that meeting, but should I change their official "start date" to that day? Sorry about all the questions, I'm just a nervous newbie.