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I have had a w.c.meahlly that laid on 07-07-07, when can I introduce a male for double time? She has eaten 2 adult mice, 1 starting the second she crawled out of the lay box and 1 again Wed.
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Todd Hughes

I think that they lay twice due to their condition when they come out of brumation. My Black Rat produced a second clutch of good eggs, and she was never reintroduced to a male after the first clutch.

If you want a chance at two clutches a season, I would make sure that your female is fat and happy before you cool her, and given plenty to eat after warming.

I breed three pairs of snakes this year, and only one produced a second clutch and all were treated the same.

Best of luck to you.

>>I have had a w.c.meahlly that laid on 07-07-07, when can I introduce a male for double time? She has eaten 2 adult mice, 1 starting the second she crawled out of the lay box and 1 again Wed.
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>>Todd Hughes

Hey Todd, is that the intergrade female from west Texas? How many eggs did she lay? Sounds like she's pretty tough, to be tackling adult mice so soon after laying eggs! I've never double clutched any of mine, but if I was going to, I'd probably let her have her post laying shed, and then introduce the male, if she's looking fat and strong. Best of luck with the eggs!

-Toby

No this is a full blown meahlly from west Texas, she is small and young, I don't think i will try it but was curious as to the when factor. Undoubtedly she could but I do not know how good a shape she actually was in. Seems in good enough shape for 8 eggs. I was just curious Toby, as your girls could probably triple clutch, lol!
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Todd Hughes

>>No this is a full blown meahlly from west Texas, she is small and young, I don't think i will try it but was curious as to the when factor. Undoubtedly she could but I do not know how good a shape she actually was in. Seems in good enough shape for 8 eggs. I was just curious Toby, as your girls could probably triple clutch, lol!
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>>Todd Hughes

Hey Todd,

Then it is the one I was thinking of, from ValVerde County, I think. I said intergrade because it's in the zone, but I agree she looks more meahllmorum than emoryi, and of course they are the same species, just different forms. She looked very healthy when I saw her, and if she's eating adult mice right after laying, she's probably tough enough to double clutch. I've never tried it with my meahllmorum females, and I've never had them spontaneously double clutch from retained sperm, even though they are plenty fat and strong, and come out brumation that way as well. I also add calcium with vitamin D to the breeding females' food, both before and after laying. My big female weighed well over a kilogram before she layed her eggs this year. As many eggs as these south Texas girls lay, I don't think I could stand triple or even double clutching! LOL

-Toby

LOL, you would have your hands full! I was curious, don't intend to breed her again or double, unless she pulls it off herself, she would know.
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Todd Hughes

Eggs are energy and for her to lay more she needs more. Your best chance is to feed the crap out of her. Like 3-6 adult mice every 3-4 days for the next two weeks. Also give her a high hot spot. There is lot more involve but this is all you can do to influence her now. Good luck!

Jason

I agree with snakesunlimited. One female corn laid 19 good eggs for me this year. I feed her as much as she wanted for 3-4 weeks afterwards and she laid 17 more good eggs 3 weeks ago. I reintroduced the male right after post lay shed. My other 2 females where not reintroduced to males and they layed a combined 23 duds and 1 good egg.