1) Should I house my Hog Islands seperately during the year until they are ready to breed?



Yes they should be housed seperately.



2) How long should I brumate them for and at what temperature?



Opinions very. Some breeders only gradually drop the night time temp over a couple months to as low as 70-72 . Others let the temperature drop slowly until the low reaches around 72 for both night and day. Other breeders do not change their temps at all and merely put the adult boas together in September or October. Most breeders stop feeding a month prior to cooling and then place the boas together when they start cooling. Typically cooling lasts from Oct through Dec. but boas have been bred throughout the year. I highly reccomend VPI's boa video. You can order it from their website.



3) When should I bring them into brumation and when should I bring them out?



Usually they are cooled Oct-Dec.



4) How long should I keep them together when they are breeding and can I just let them breed in the females cage?



Leave then together until a week after the female has ovulated. You can usually tell when she ovulates by a huge football shaped swelling in the female boa. The male will usually show no interest in her after this. They can breed in the female's cage.



Gus Renfro has had some very good posts on this subject so if you search the forum you may find some great info. I beleive a lot if this info is at his site, Rio Bravo Reptiles, just click the link below.



http://www.riobravoreptiles.com/care_breedingboas.htm
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Jared Douglas

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