Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm curious to know what some of the more experienced keepers here think of breeding a female 2 years in a row. The situation sparking the question is in regards to a female BCC that was bred for the first time this past year and delivered at the end of July. She ate throughout gestation last time and delivered 15 healthy babies and no slugs. She has taken about 6 meals (every meal offered) since then and has definitely added weight and looks to be ready (although not quite as robust as last year) to go. She's in shed right now so I'm curious to see how she'll look after shedding and defecating.
Just to test her receptivity, I threw in the male I want to breed her with and she immediately gave courting signals. Raised tail and gaping cloaca along with scenting the entire cage. IMO, she wouldn't do that if she wasn't ready to go. Right? And do you think she would allow courtship if she wasn't ready?
I won't think about it if the consensus is that it would raise the risk to her health.
So anyway, what does everyone think about giving her a go this year? Thoughts?
Thanks!
jb
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Jonathan Brady
"Sarcasm is angers ugly cousin" -Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson) in "Anger Management".

I've seen the tail waving at times when it seems to be a sign of being non receptive, and other times it seems to be a sign that they are receptive. Unfortunately, we can't pick up on what scents, if any, the females are putting out when they do this. Then again, maybe the males just weren't willing, and it's always a sign of being receptive, but I don't think that is the case. I've had females that I didn't breed go on to produce a full litter of slugs because I didn't breed them. At that point, I would've been just as well off to breed them. I'd say it's your call judging by your females behavior and her physical appearance.

In my experience it all has to do with the female and the amount of weight that is lost during the first seasons breeding some girls go of food completely others will feed. I have bred many females very successfully in the second season and some I give a year off because they didn't put back on the weight. They really need the third season off if they produce two years in row though. Actually last season I had about 16 pairing in all. All the pairings with virgin females produced and none of the pairing with proven animals produced. Most of my proven girls were in the 8' plus range and very girthy this has led me to thin out the big this year because I felt they may have been a little to fat to bred. Most of us on her know what good body weight on a female looks like. So as long as you think they have put the weight back on I say go for it. I don't think it really matters from BCC to BCI that much either. It all has to due with thier fat stores being adequate to get them through the pregancy part of the breeding season.

Just my two cents!!!

Al Brown/Brown's Boas

Would that be a nice firm backstrap with no fat rolls and no obvious spine showing? Just my guess.
jsc
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer