The longest gap between last breeding and OVULATION I have experienced is about 2.5 months, but I have "heard" others say they have gone longer. Although some will do it, copulations after ovulation, or "probably" even close prior to ovulation are of no value. Eggs are fertilized as they pass into the oviduct. The sperm already has to already have been deposited by the male and then crawled their way half the length of the snake and be there waiting for the eggs. I think Anthony is right about high temps and hot spots increasing the likelihood of infertile eggs and slugs. My "theory" based on scientific evidence in animals other than snakes, is that the lifespan of sperm is shortened considerably by higher temps and as such, at higher temps and the longer the interval since last copulation, the greater the likelihood of infertile eggs. Slugs are a little different as they are follicles that were ovulated before they were fully mature. I suspect that some slugs may be the result of an evolutionary adaption by females to respond to higher environmental temps. When females sense the increased temps they "may" force ovulation early in an evolutionary response to try and ovulate before the sperm die. This is just a theory but forced ovulation would account for the apparent higher incidence of slugs seen higher temps/hotspots.

Cheers

Grant

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