...how likely?



One thing concerns me with the new BRB acquisitions (“Count me in too…” thread listed below) is the fact the pair were housed together in the LPS. I would think there is some possibility that the female could be gravid.

My experience with Neotropical and Tropical reptiles is they often do not need to cycle to be fertile and can breed year round.



If the story I was told of the male snake is to be believed, that he was lost in the store for two years, only to show up a couple weeks ago once a large female was present, then this adds to the possibility. Perhaps her presence (particularly if she was ovulating) encouraged him to cruse more, leading to his capture. Once he was captured, he was added to the female's enclosure.



What experience do members of these forums have with BRBs breeding without cycling? I know that Taiwan Beauties will and in fact mine have several times (to the point that I don't even bother to cycle them). I have even heard of it in Sub-tropical species such as a corn snake… but has anyone bred Rainbows this way?



For the questions below, I have read through my copy of Ross and Marzec’s, Reproductive Husbandry of Pythons and Boas. I need experienced keepers to fill in a couple blanks.



Next question: How obvious is a pregnancy in BRBs and how soon is it apparent? The last thing I would want to do is to prep the female for cooling in the middle of a gestation… (I have a 4-6 weeks before this may or may not happen.)



Because she was housed with the male for the past 3 weeks, I will be palpating on a regular basis and will be watching for some more obvious signs (inverted basking, off-feed, etc.)



Last question: How long is gestation? Ross and Marzec list it as 4-8 months. Anyone care to narrow this down a bit? What is typical in your experiences?



I have loads of questions as I get the best plan laid out for the care of these snakes. I appreciate any and all replies.



Female:








-----
Later,

Paul E. Turley

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