Posted by:
RioBravoReptiles
at Mon Jun 21 10:49:43 2004 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by RioBravoReptiles ]
This varies with subspecies and to a lesser extent, locallity and is also effected by temperatures and the condition of the female.
The figure often quoted, 105 days, is a fair estimate for many boas but is mainly derived from observing a somewhat closely related group of one subspecies (imperator) kept under similar conditions. As more keepers obtain these limited bloodlines and follow the general husbandry practices recommended for the group more breeding results support that timetable. But it would be wrong to assume you have a problem with any boa if they give birth in 100 days or day 110 comes and goes with no deposition.
I have seen in my collection perfect babies born without complication in as little as 97 days and as much as about 250 days P.O.S.. At times no shed takes place between courtship and copulation and birth.. so how is this to be calculated at all?
In most groups litters given under about 100 days have a much higher probability of containing non-viables. And a high percentage of infertiles, or slugs, in a litter is closely associated with stillborns and deformities, whether the incubation is shorter or longer. In our groups we observe stronger and more competitive baby boas from the longer gestation times.
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Gus
A. Rentfro
RioBravoReptiles.com
www.riobravoreptiles.com
"Quality is not an accident. Perfectly healthy animals are a minimum requirement.. everything else is just salesmanship" gus
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RE: how long can a boa be gravid for - RioBravoReptiles, Mon Jun 21 10:49:43 2004