Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Honduran female started breeding in January. She bred until about a week before her last shed, which was 3-13. There has been no copulatory action since that shed. She doesn't seem to be getting any bigger. She is dark a lot, but she also seems to prefer the cool side (about 80F). Today, she is light.

So my question is, if 3-13 was POS (I didn't see ovulation though), would she be getting girthier? If not, would she still ovulate even though there is no action from the male? I'm not sure whether or not to expect babies at this point. Is there any other way to determine if she is gravid?

Thanks

Nick

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"I'll be back at 6 if not 7. 8 the very latest but definatly no later than 9...ish...Moscow time."

I'll try my best to answer this. Determing whether or not a boa is gravid is probably the hardest part of breeding boas. Every female is different. Some have huge noticeable ovulations, others don't... which may be your case. Some swell up very large with babies about halfway through the gestation period, and again, others don't swell up much at all.

What I would look for, even though she's staying on the cooler end of the cage, watch how she is laying. Is she in a "heat consertative" coil position? Or she may stretch out the lower half of her body because it's more comfortable, perhaps even turn belly upwards.

She may drop off food completely, or others eat like pigs while gravid, although I wouldn't recommend trying to feed her this late into it. The only way to really tell if she is 100% sure would be to get an ultrasound done at a vet. But again, being this late in the game, I don't know if I would want to put the stress on her to pick her up, transport her, etc.

My advice to you.... keep waiting. Hopefully you'll get lucky. If you're anything like the rest of us, you are impatient and this waiting thing SUCKS, but.... sometimes you get pleasently surprised, keep us posted.
Tony

Is a month and a half too far into it to feed her? I thought she could eat still, as she has been doing. I've been feeding her smaller food items though, but she acts like she is starving once I offer them.

She is not in heat conservation positions yet. Here is a lowsy pic of her today. She might be a little bigger on the second half, but it is hard to tell.

While I am a little impatient, I'd really like to know if she is gravid because I don't want to stop feeding or handling her if she is not. Also, I'd really like to get to a reptile show this year, but if she doesn't have offspring, I don't think I'll have enough to sell. I'll continue to keep an eye on her assuming she is gravid just in case she isn't showing it all that well as you suggested.

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"I'll be back at 6 if not 7. 8 the very latest but definatly no later than 9...ish...Moscow time."

No, I don't think that a month and a half is too late to feed her. However, my personal opinion, I prefer not to feed my females at all while gravid. Others may disagree because they feel that those nutrients are essential to both the female and the babies. Its really a case of opinion. Most will agree not to feed her in the last month of parturation though to avoid premature birth. As for the girl, I would still treat her as though she's gravid. Sometimes a boa that doesnt look gravid can be gravid, and those that do look gravid may actually not be. So I wouldn't give up hope just yet because it is still early even though she hasnt swelled up yet. 2 of my females that are gravid right now both did not start swelling until slightly after their half-way point. I understand your concern in if she is not gravid, wanting to feed her and perhaps get ready to try again next year, but I would take all precautions and treat her as though she is gravid right now. If it is really going to bug you that much, you can take her to a vet and get an ultrasound. (which I've heard is rather pricey) The other alternative I've heard of people using is getting an X-ray done. I guess it would work because you may be able to see small bodies developing, and an x-ray should cost under $100. Ask around, those are the 2 fullproof methods I know of. Hope this helps.
Tony

Well, I don't really want to take her in to a vet to find out. What you said is actually good enough: some of yours didn't show until past halfway, which mine is not up to. The main thing I was wondering was whether or not she should be showing. I have rosy boas I'm breeding for the first time this year (proven with another keeper) that have already swelled up, and that made me wonder about my boa constrictor. I'll go ahead and treat her as gravid.

Just now, she looked a little swollen in the midsection, but not towards the tail. The tail was, however, draped over her water bowl. She ate last on the 21st.

Thanks for your help!
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"I'll be back at 6 if not 7. 8 the very latest but definatly no later than 9...ish...Moscow time."