Posted by:
robyn@ProExotics
at Wed Oct 5 18:19:39 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by robyn@ProExotics ]
Coxi breeding is pretty straight forward. we cycle our adults by cooling them down to 55F starting in December, bring them back up to temp in March, feed once or twice, wait for a shed, and pair them up.
we have bred them at little over a year for males, and 18 months for females. clutch size is 2-6 eggs, on average, double clutching is easy, triple clutching common, and we have gotten as many as 7 clutches from a female in one season.
all things considered, i like to shoot for just 2-3 clutches per female, as the body drain can be considerable. with good stock, healthy animals, i would consider Coxi breeding "easy" compared to other snakes.
we usually see a hookup within 5 minutes of introducing a male to a viable female, so breeding can be "done" in one day.
Dr. Klingenburg, an excellent vet and popular reptile author, has had a female have one early season copulation, and then triple clutch with no further male work. that's a trip.
because of the multi-clutching, we keep a basking light available through the cooling period, as we would inevitably see females throw eggs in the winter, but at 55F, they wouldn't be any good. with access to heat, a temp gradient of 55F to 80F, the ones that want to cool can cool (and in a dark hide) and the ones that are developing eggs can bask. they choose the appropriate spot.
there are many more details, and this may be the first time i have even hinted at the temp gradient and cycling stuff online, i am supposed to work up an article for Reptiles Mag on this subject, i just haven't gotten to it. i hope to write it by the end of this year : )
i am happy to discuss more details by phone, folks can reach me at the number listed on our site : ) ----- robyn@proexotics.com
Pro Exotics Reptiles

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