Hi folks, thought I'd stick my neck out.



I've read the three provided links about breeding JCP's. I'd read the one that is a simple caresheet (I didn't see anything there about breeding JCP's) and the other two, while fascinating reading about the specifics of an IJ and a JCP clutch, didn't really go into details. I WOULD do a search on google or other source, and I'm sure I'd come up with some interesting links, however I have a lot more respect for those who are actively breeding the animals now. A reason for this is when I started breeding feeder mice I read a zillion care sheets... and after actually breeding them for a while, I realized just how completely misleading half of the websites were. If I were to only read anything I came across, I could be misled completely. If I read a site recommended by someone on here, then I feel a lot more confident.



So... some of my most specific questions:



1. What is the accepted age/size that is most recommended for breeding JCP's? With colubrids the earliest is 1.5 years, and then only if they have acheived a good size. If small they should be kept another year before breeding or eggbinding can occur.



2. Are there temperature restrictions or conditions that will prepare a JCP for breeding? With colubrids I cool them from about Christmas or thanksgiving for a couple of months. power feed once they wake up, breed after first shed. From one of the two websites I read It seems that JCP's are put together in the fall?



3. With kingsnakes breeding is heavily supervised (otherwise feeding might take place, leaving you with a well fed snake, and no snake eggs). I gather from what I read that JCP's are left together for a more extended period until breeding is witnessed, or something. Would anyone like to clarify?



4. How long are JCP's gravid?



5. What is the average clutch size?



6. I noted from the sites I was reading that the snakes were manually pipped at day 51... but wasn't sure how it is done with the eggs in an incubator.. the temperatures seemed to be shifted frequently when the python incubated her own clutch.



7. Is it more common to allow a python to incubate their own clutch, or to use an incubator?



8. If a python incubates her own clutch, does she ignore the hatchlings? Or are they maternal towards the little snakeys?



For clarification, I do not own a male JCP, I do not plan on breeding until she is 2.5 years... or older if that is the recommended time frame, and even longer perhaps if I don't have a male. I have one Arizona Mountain Kingsnake... I'm getting her a mate this year as a new hatchling. By the time he is ready to breed she'll be four years old. I don't mind waiting and learning and judging my situation from time to time to be sure that I wish to breed. I would not breed irresponsibly.



I just would like to learn about my beauty. I doubt I will purchase a male JCP until/unless I am sure I want to breed and have a plan for the hatchlings. I would just like as much information as possible.



~Sasheena



Current Snake Collection:



2.4.? California Kingsnakes (2 hatched, 3 already pipped, 3 waiting to pip in addition to the 2.4)

0.1 arizona mountain kingsnakes

1.1 blotched kingsnakes (plus 8 eggs)

1.2 cornsnakes

0.0.7 insectivorous ground snakes.

1.0 rosy boas

0.1 JCP

0.1 Spilotes Pullatus.

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