So confused I don't know what to ask

[Rylmad]

I feel you, this is our first season breeding as well. We have three girls we are trying with, and I am watching them all the time.....Good luck!

[JohnNJ]

Here's another confusing indicator.

Every time I put this male in with the female they lock almost immediately and stay locked for 12-24 hours. I put him in this morning and checked later - no lock. Does that mean anything?

[Domepiece]

Here's another confusing indicator.

Every time I put this male in with the female they lock almost immediately and stay locked for 12-24 hours. I put him in this morning and checked later - no lock. Does that mean anything?

No. Sometimes they just wont lock right away. It it keeps happening over and over then maybe something might be up. You wont always catch a lock either, sometimes they lock in the middle of the night and are done by morning.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I know the feeling.....first season here too.
I think I "see" some of my girls getting fat just because I want to see it.
This hobby will sure make you question your sanity.

[West Coast Jungle]

Relax and enjoy yourself. If you are not sure where they are as far as breeding cycle then to be safe count down 30 days after every shed( of the girls you think maybe gravid) as it was the pre-lay shed and check for eggs. That way you are not taken by surprise

We can give you all of our tips but without your own personal experience it seems like a lot of info. My best advice is get to know your females behaviors, colors, eating habits and when they suddenly change this could be a sign they are beginning to cycle. Once you get to know a females breeding cycle behaviors it becomes easier to detect in the future. I have many pictures of ovulating females because I know their specific breeding behaviors and it becomes obvious to me when the OV is coming

The OV is the most important breeding sign you could ask for aside from a clutch of eggs

[PitOnTheProwl]

Relax and enjoy yourself. If you are not sure where they are as far as breeding cycle then to be safe count down 30 days after every shed( of the girls you think maybe gravid) as it was the pre-lay shed and check for eggs. That way you are not taken by surprise

What about my granite that is shedding every 3 to 4 weeks.
She is starting to look bloated

[AdamF]

[

Is there a point where the female is big and rock hard but then relaxes and get soft.[/QUOTE]

Not sure about your females, but I've seen this "issue" before!

[West Coast Jungle]

What about my granite that is shedding every 3 to 4 weeks.
She is starting to look bloated

Sounds like building, this is good. Patience is one of the hardest skills you will learn breeding balls and I am not kidding