breeding problems

[SlitherinSisters]

Yeah, an issue with temps was the first thing I could think of besides being sexed properly. I would imagine it would be pretty hard to get them not to breed, even if you kept them together all the time and stressed them out.

Just as a frame of reference. I keep my breeding females hot side at 88 and the cool side at 75, these are constant 24/7 temps. Last year I let it drop to 70, but ended up with RI in a couple snakes, this year I have it at 75 and have no issues with them breeding. You may be keeping them too hot. If they can't thermoregulate to cooler temperatures I would imagine that they would have issues building/getting ready for eggs. Maybe even cause them to reabsorb eggs if they do get that far?

[dr del]

One other thing to consider.

Since you don't cool they may not breed at the time you expect and introduce your males.

Have you tried palpating the females to see if they are ever developing follicles?

I know mine breed at different times of the year most of the time.


dr del

[Brandon Osborne]

In my opinion temps are too high. During the breeding season my ambient room temps range from 68-75. I keep the basking spot the same year-round in the upper 80s. I have several females that have ovulated in the last few days and two female carpets that have had their pre-lay sheds. Lower your ambient temps to the low to mid 70s and you will probably see some action.

[JKPCONSTRICTORS]

Here's a few things to consider that may help you:

Since you aren't cooling you're going to have to stay on top of palpating the girls to know when they're ready for the male. You can't just throw him in any time you want and expect a successful breeding.

Adding a shed skin from another male may encourage your desert to breed. It's a trick I've used a few times with reluctant males and it usually helps. You could also try actually adding another male in there with the desert and the girl, keep a close eye on them for a few, then remove the second male. The second method is a little more stressful, especially for the male you aren't keeping in there to breed, but I've done it more than once with excellent results.

If I think of anything else I'll return and post, but as long as your husbandry is spot on and the male is mature it's most likely an issue of timing.

[JKPCONSTRICTORS]

You said that one of your males is producing sperm plugs. You might want to take some of those plugs and wipe them on the back of a female that is in with a different male. Sometimes that will stimulate the males to breed.

Also, this^.

[ladizzle]

This may sound like as easy question but no one else has asked.
Are you keeping the Desert with the females all the time? That may be stressing him out if you are. As long as you're keeping him with one female for a few days then giving him a break for a week or so before rotating to the next female. I don't see what else the problem could be unless he doesn't realize its "time" for him to breed since you didn't cycle them. (or at least drop temps a few degrees). Or maybe he's infertile?
I had a 1000 gram Bumblebee male that WOULD NOT breed for me in 2011. I did not cycle my snakes and he was supposedly a "proven breeder". I assume that's what the problem was, although I don't know for sure. Cycling them next year may be a good idea. It doesnt take but a few degrees, so RIs shouldn't be an issue.

cycle?
how many degrees should i drop it?

and yes i give him a break in between females.

[ladizzle]

Just to clarify - Do you have a 90deg hot spot that you drop to 86deg at night (even though you said you don't cycle them), and your ambient temps are 83-85deg, or are you heating the whole room to 90deg and letting it cool to ~86deg at night? Or am I more confused that I think I am? If you have a 90deg hot spot and 85deg ambient, then you really aren't providing much of a gradient. Drop your ambient temps to ~80deg at all times and keep a 90deg hot spot.

i have them in a rack system. the heat tape from 8am-8pm is 90-91 degrees, then at 8pm to 8am the temp drops to 85-86degrees. the rack is in my living room but the air condition from my house doesnt affect the temps inside the tubs.

[ladizzle]

One other thing to consider.

Since you don't cool they may not breed at the time you expect and introduce your males.

Have you tried palpating the females to see if they are ever developing follicles?

I know mine breed at different times of the year most of the time.


dr del

to be honest, i dont know how to palpate, i tried that about a year ago and never got it.

[REBELLMORPH]

to be honest, i dont know how to palpate, i tried that about a year ago and never got it.

to be able to palpate for the first time you need a mature female with follicle's grow up a bit

[ladizzle]

okay just so everyone knows, I reset the thermostat to be at 85 degrees all the time. and I guess around late oct to early nov I lower it to around 77?