Posted by:
FR
at Sat Feb 14 11:26:24 2009 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by FR ]
Once we had chosen(bonded) pairs, we tested them to see how they work. Of course only in a very simple way.
First you had to have an understanding of colubrid reproductive events and clues.
Normally pairs or groups(diamondbacks) are with their chosen female months before she cycles.
So normally, as soon as she is receptive, they copulate.
In captivity, we can change this and try other approaches. So I took females away from their chosen male to see if she would breed other males.
What we found was, early in her receptive cycle, she would tail wag, thats were a female presses her vent to the ground and wags her tail and attempts to leave(it means NO). But would copulate with their chosen male. Late in her cycle, she would copulate with other males, and very late in her cycle, she would copulate with anything, including other females. So it does appear there is a choice and a survival mechanism at work.
To be continued, if needed, Cheers
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RE: Testing a paired female - FR, Sat Feb 14 11:26:24 2009