Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know if frequent handling has any affect on whether or not snakes are good breeders?

Our snakes are our pets and therefore get handled fairly often - I'm just wondering if this might be in any way counter productive for reproduction? Best just to leave them alone during breeding season?

Anyone know for sure one way or another - open to studies, statistics, experiences, theories or discussion ?!?!?!?

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Tosha

Well Boas can be pretty touchy about handling, but I haven't seen this in anything else I've bred. But then again I really only handle my snakes about once a week to check them out for 5-10 min.

I feel that the only time handling can be bad is if you interupt them when they're showing any signs of interest in breeding. If they aren't hooked up or don't look like they're lusting after each other, handling them will be fine. In fact, sometimes handling can induce breeding.

Let the temps drop a bit, mist them a few times a day for a few days and then give them both a bath, stroking them down their body while in the water. Place them back into the cage and watch. I've done this several times and if done properly, most of the time it will induce breeding. Not every time, but most of the time.

Take care!
Mike
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It is said that 1 out of every 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends, if they're normal, then it's you.

Very intrusting post I had never herd that before and I’m going to give it a try this year , If there is any thing else you can add that may be helpful please add it . Thanks and good luck David

Actually, my previous post could be misleading but I didn't mean for it to be.

I prefer a more natural approach but the techniques I mentioned can be used to speed things up or for those that need coaxing. Follow the typical pattern of allowing temps to drop and shortening photoperiod for 2 - 4 weeks prior. Some people will mist more often than usual throughout this period but I wait until the last week. The slow stroking in a tub of water, with extra attention to the cloaca area, has really made a difference most of the time.

To be perfectly honest, I'm not a full-time breeder and by far not an expert. I only breed every now & then but this has worked for me, with different species. There's not much money to be made in breeding but the satisfaction of accomplishment and experience is worth its weight in gold.

Strong arguments can be made as for whether or not they should be handled and I do agree that there's less of a chance of interrupting breeding if they're not handled.

However, if the snakes are handled frequently prior to breeding, as in this case and mine, as long as there's not an obvious interruption, I say handle them, they're used to it.

Take care & good luck!
Mike
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It is said that 1 out of every 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends, if they're normal, then it's you.

I totally agree if you handle your snakes often then don’t do any thing different unless they are mating , Of coerce if your snakes are not handled then you will stress them out . Good luck with all you do David

hay Tosha !! It has been my experience that once you introduce your male you should leave them alone until mating is over and then you can handle the male all you wont and handle the female until she gets close to laying her eggs and you know the rest . There may be other thoughts on this but this is what I have found with breeding pet Balls and I have had great results above average and average size clutches and only 2 bad eggs out of about 48 so there it is for what its worth . David