advanced temp question

[Mike Cavanaugh]

I started pairing on October 1st. I have been lowering my temperatures at night on my flexwat since mid Novemember to 82 degrees. At that setting the tub temp drops to about 77 degrees. Daytime temperatures on the heat tape is 92 degrees.... and that brings the temps up to about 88 degrees on the warm side. Now every time I put the males in with the ladies they are locking up.

Here are my questions... Keep in mind I am new to breeding! I believe one of my females has become gravid. I say this because she has litterally become twice as fat over the last 2 months or so. I mean, she is HUGE right now. She still eats a smaller then usual rat every week though... And she still locks up with the male every time.

1.) From what I have explained, does it sound like this one female is gravid? Is it possible with her still eating and locking up? should I stop offering food?

2.) If you believe she may be gravid, what do I do with the temperatures???

I guess my biggest concern is having her lay the eggs, when I still have the night drop going on. What if she lays in the middle of the night? will the low temperatures hurt the eggs before I discover them and put them in the incubator?

[Adam_Wysocki]

If she's still copulating with the male, she's not gravid.

Hope this helps.

-adam

[Mike Cavanaugh]

If she's still copulating with the male, she's not gravid.

Hope this helps.

-adam

Ok, well, I guess that answers that. I guess she is just plain old fat? I don't understand it though. there is no way she could have been able to gain so much weight with the smaller feeders I have been feeding....

[Adam_Wysocki]

Follicular development can often make females appear larger.

Hope this helps.

-adam

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Ok thanks.... please answer this question.

What happens if eggs are unexpectedly laid early, during a night drop down to say 76 degrees? will the eggs sitting for a few hours at that temperature hurt them?

[SatanicIntention]

The past two breeding seasons, I've done what Adam has told me works for him(works great for me too). I don't know if he does his temps this way still, but it works well.

For 16 hours, the temperatures are kept at 85 warm side, 78-80 room temp. Then for the remaining, the warm side temp is back up to 95 and room temp is 80-82. Wait for the low pressure systems to come in and nice rainy days and you'll have snake porn.

Any lower temperatures and you're going to get some stress RIs, mainly in the boys.

Misting with cold water helps too.