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Breeding question

phiber_optikx Apr 15, 2007 12:49 AM

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?"

Replies (1)

FunkyRes Apr 15, 2007 01:53 AM

In my limited experience with Cal Kings they stay locked for some time, but I've heard that the duration can be quite short, so it may depend upon the preferences of the male.

If this is the first time with that male, he may not have things figured out.

One of my males took several tries before he figured things out. My other male still hasn't - but I'm not convinced the female I have him with is ovulating, even though he has attempted.

I initially tried him with a different female, and he wanted her but was afraid of her (she's a lot bigger than him) and didn't want to get near near her head.

Anyway - I don't think snakes are like people in that they only ovulate for a short time, so keep trying until she looks gravid or is rejecting him. I think the window for copulation is fairly large.

Last year I bought a female in August and put her in with a male who hadn't brumated - they locked, and I had eggs in September. So don't give up yet. Worst thing that can happen is it doesn't work. Well, I suppose WORST thing is a feeding response, but ...
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3.6 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus
1.0 Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

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