Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've just started cooling my females and males about a week ago, when is a good time to introduce the males? I've done it in the past after 4 weeks, when i begin to drop the temps a little more.

Is it ok to introduce them now..i've got my temps at 78-80 during the day and 75-78 at night. AFter 4 weeks i drop them to 72-75 at night. I've also heard that many breeders prefer not to cool...how important is it really to put these animals through a cooling period?

Thanks,
J.C.

I'm a first time boa breeder this season as well but have done a lot of reading - some people cool their boas, but some (including a lot of the big breeders) do not change the temperatures at all. Apparently boas will breed at any point in the year.

I think the more important thing is to make sure the snakes have been withheld food for a week or two before introducing them. The daylight cycle probably matters as well, but I didn't reduce temperatures and have seen my boas court.
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Lauren Madar
www.ophidiagems.com
1.1 Hog Island Boas
1.1 Hypo BCI
0.1 Sorong-type GTP
1.0 Normal Ball Python
1.1 Surinam BCC

Don't you also have to wait until you see the female ovulate?? They can breed all they want, but if she hasn't ovulated yet, she won't get pregnant. At least this is what I've been told. If I'm way wrong some one please let me know
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Alone, alone, all, all alone. Alone on a wide, wide sea.
-Rime of the ancient Mariner

Yes, she does have to ovulate (and they can still mate afterwards) - but apparently boas do not ALWAYS swell in an obvious way when they ovulate. I've heard of a breeder "missing" or not witnessing a boa ovulate. But my female hog island swelled up pretty large the other day (even though she hasn't eaten now for at least 3-4 weeks)... I think she might have ovulated! So exciting.
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Lauren Madar
www.ophidiagems.com
1.1 Hog Island Boas
1.1 Hypo BCI
0.1 Sorong-type GTP
1.0 Normal Ball Python
1.1 Surinam BCC

With so much propaganda out on "breeding BCI" its hard to wade thru all the alledged manure.
Haveing a proper understanding of the cooling cycle is generally the most commonly missed and misunderstood concept.
Cooling BCI does not mean drop usual temps by 10* for 2 weeks and your boa will become horny,have babies and make you lots of cash.
The purpose of a Cooling cycle for BCI is to replicate a "Season" as in Summer,Fall,Winter,Spring. Not sure I recall any of the known seasons to last 2-3 weeks in duration.
People seem to always be looking for the short cut or easy way to get results. It doesnt work like that with these animals.The more you push the more negitive you aquire.

Restudy BCI breeding and look for a method and stick with it.

M/

>>I've just started cooling my females and males about a week ago, when is a good time to introduce the males? I've done it in the past after 4 weeks, when i begin to drop the temps a little more.
>>
>>Is it ok to introduce them now..i've got my temps at 78-80 during the day and 75-78 at night. AFter 4 weeks i drop them to 72-75 at night. I've also heard that many breeders prefer not to cool...how important is it really to put these animals through a cooling period?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>J.C.