More breeding questions, some conflicting info?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Should I introduce the male to the female's enclosure? And keep him in there until I see a lock, or for 3 days max?

I keep them together for 2 days at the time unless when I go to separate them they are locked.

Should I keep the hide in the enclosure? I'm not using a rack, just a 4' heat pad and lining up all the tubs on it. And the hide is a large size from reptilebasics. Female is about 1900g.

To breed they need to get close so having the hide him allowing one to hide from the other will be counter productive. During breeding season I do not provide hides at all.

After each lock, take the male back and give them a break for 5 days? 3 days?

Depends on your rotation, my makes spend 2 days at the time with each females to make it easier with my schedule and remain in the same feeding schedule I do Monday Tuesday female 1 Wednesday Thursday female 2 than rest until Monday at that time it's turn for female 3 and 4 and so on. Each female is only paired once to twice a month depending on what I see.

Usually how many locks should I see before she is gravid? Would it be okay to continue pairing a male to her even while she's gravid (assuming I can't tell)?

I have had many clutches without swing locks, I have had clutches seeing 1 lock, 5, 10 it more. It's not about the number of locks, just like because you see locks does not mean you will have a clutch.

If when the female has an increased feeding response during this time or before, should I give her more frequent meals to pump up her weight?

SOME not all females will become very agressive, those may get fed twice a week instead of one.

If the male accepts food during this time, should I feed bigger or smaller or just normal sized meals?

You really want to keep feeding him the same way, you definitely want your make to eat as breeding really take it's toll on makes however because he eats does not mean he should over eat and get lazy.

Should I provide a nesting box of moss when she's gravid? Or just leave the enclosure as it is with paper towel and a hide?

Just your substrate, once my female ovulate I like to switch to cypress or coconut bedding to hold humidity just in case the clutch is laid and I do not catch it right away ( helps keep optimum humidity)

Bottom line there are many ways that work you have to find the way that works for you and your animals, observingg your animals will and understanding what you see will play a big role in breeding.