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I know what I think......and I would guess you'd agree. This gal is fresh out of cooling. Ate once, but she looked like this from the get go. I see noticeable swelling. I am going to put her in with the male later on. I would not be surprised if they breed. Her sisters look nothing like this....more to come soon

Tom Stevens
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TomsSnakes.com

Hi Tom, I do not think like that at all. You see, you are calling her just out of brumation, she on the otherhand may be telling you, she was active for awhile and you should have been feeding her a few weeks ago.

You see, I judge them by THEIR condition, not by something I do, or something I tell myself.

You see, you may be thinking you put her in, and you took her out. But I see snakes going in and coming out, all on their own.

I see keepers all the time wait to "bring" their animals out, and are totally surprised to find they had already cycled while in hibernation. These keepers commonly say, but I did not bring her/them out yet, how could they have cycled.

In your case, all you have to do is palpate for ovum/eggs and you will not have to wonder. Cheers

I was just trying to point out that in this case I see no point in waiting for the first shed many people use as a cue for introduction. If you could see the other 3 females I have they're all thinner, especially for the lower third portion of the body.
I am not wondering anything. I think they very well may breed right away. I fugured you'd think the same thing. The picture may not be showing her off as well as I'd like but she seems like she is ready to me.
You'e right that she very well may have been ready much sooner but the male was really inactive and acting like many snakes do during winter. So I waited. I will let you know if they breed. Then it will be interesting to see if other females not showing any swelling also breed right away.
Tom Stevens
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TomsSnakes.com

When I had speckleds they'd be gravid by this time of year.
They were first followed by my scarlet kings most every year.

:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

crimsonking.piczo.com/

She looks like shes carrying fat bodies or ovum, or both. Also, becoming receptive, does relate to sheds, by not necessarily that accurate. For instance, When I was producing lots of kings, and I hibernated them. They normally cycled two weeks after the first shed, or the day before or the day after the second shed. But that could easily be changed by using different conditions(temps etc)

But if you learn to palpate, you(anybody) do not have to guess, or count sheds, once you feel the string of pearls, the female will clocal gape(become receptive). That is biology. Sheds may or may not be a good indicator that a female will or is cycling.

By the way, beautiful snakes you have there. Cheers

I see keepers all the time wait to "bring" their animals out, and are totally surprised to find they had already cycled while in hibernation. These keepers commonly say, but I did not bring her/them out yet, how could they have cycled.

Jeez, I've been blind to this obvious fact for several years but it neatly explains the early infertile eggs I get from time to time. Now it's obvious........
Thanx Frank!

For me....I notice females look ready from time to time during the cold season.....but my male may be out like a light. Burrowed in substrate and just motionless. Makes me wish I had an extra male for all my projects at times. I introduce things at different times from year to year. The saying "they breed like clockwork" doesn't often apply here....hell as long as they're producing I will just keep doing what I do.
Tom Stevens
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TomsSnakes.com

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TomsSnakes.com