Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, before the question here is the back story. I have been trying to get two of my black rats to breed for about a month now but they just would not lock up. The female was willing but the male was not. So yesterday I decided to place him with his smaller sister just to see what would happen. He went CRAZY! He was all over her trying to pen her and lock up. But she would have none of it. She is blue and I just figured it was my last chance for babies. I decided that since he was so worked up and FINALLY in the mood that I would place him with his originally chosen mate. He to my jpy courted and mounted her. I watched from a few feet away and tried to not be intrusive. So here is my question. When breeding, do they insert themselves multiple times over the course of about 15-20 minutes. Or do they usually lock up and stay locked up for the full duration? Because I could not see them locked up from my angle. But they were in the right place. He would just get aligned, stay that way for a minute or so, and then they would re-adjust. This happened for probably 20 minutes or so. When I went in for a closer look she had some "leekage" for lack of a better word. It was basically an off yellow drop of liquid coming from her vent. So should I hope for babies yet or keep trying?
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.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 MO Locale Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"

Im my experiance the pair will lock up one time for a few minuted to several hours (depending on species)

The good news is your male is trying.. Which means he will eventually get it right. Keep intorducing him to both females one after the other as you explained and i think you will have success.

As for the stain, a couple of days ago someone posted a pic of what the stain will look like.. did you see it?

~ Mike

>>Ok, before the question here is the back story. I have been trying to get two of my black rats to breed for about a month now but they just would not lock up. The female was willing but the male was not. So yesterday I decided to place him with his smaller sister just to see what would happen. He went CRAZY! He was all over her trying to pen her and lock up. But she would have none of it. She is blue and I just figured it was my last chance for babies. I decided that since he was so worked up and FINALLY in the mood that I would place him with his originally chosen mate. He to my jpy courted and mounted her. I watched from a few feet away and tried to not be intrusive. So here is my question. When breeding, do they insert themselves multiple times over the course of about 15-20 minutes. Or do they usually lock up and stay locked up for the full duration? Because I could not see them locked up from my angle. But they were in the right place. He would just get aligned, stay that way for a minute or so, and then they would re-adjust. This happened for probably 20 minutes or so. When I went in for a closer look she had some "leekage" for lack of a better word. It was basically an off yellow drop of liquid coming from her vent. So should I hope for babies yet or keep trying?
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The yellowish seepage sounds like a good sign of a hook-up.
Like Mike said, just keep putting him with her.
I would be willing to bet she will show up gravid soon enough.
I have also noticed that once they start twitching and positioning they are fairly oblivious to movement around them...if that movement is slow and easy.
I have opened the lids of breeding containers for photos without the snakes missing a beat.
Try introducing them and sitiing there, quitely, for a close-up view.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

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I agree with that. I have never really had a problem with my snakes being interupted during breeding. Once in a while I will reach in and lift a tail to see if there is a lock. Sometimes if there is not, it bugs them for a second and they get right back to it. I have heard, though, that bugging them when locked will sometimes cause them to unlock. I have never had this happen, and i have taken many pictures of lock ups.
I also sgree that once the male starts twitching and chasing the female, he has one thing in mind. You sitting close by should not interrupt them.
Good luck
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****Misty****

www.sneakyserpents.com

"Life is Killing Me"

Usually snakes stay locked up until they are done. So much so, that my female king gets tired of having the male attached and tries to push him out. But, since there are barbs on the hemipene, she has no luck and ends up dragging him around until he finally lets go. Oh, and they mated again yesterday and the male left his hemipene out, and I got some pics of it, since we had talked about it before. I can post if anyone is interested.

It never hurts to keep trying.

The liquid sounds to be the right color.
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****Misty****

www.sneakyserpents.com

"Life is Killing Me"