Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi

This is my first year breeding boas and so I'm constantly peering into their vivs checking out their progress! I've read books and articles on it but you still don't get an idea of what should happen and when until you've been through it (well thats what I've found from previous experiance!)

Anyway.. the point of this post is on 2/9 either the male or female shed (they are both around the same length and I wasn't around when it happened, just the wife!). At this stage they had been together for a couple of months. I hoped this was the POS but on 2/11 I observed the female in the position on the photo. Is is the twist I've read about? If so the shed must've been his right?

Then today, 3/10 there was a very noticable swelling aound half way down her body, could this be ovulation? Does it go along with the timing of the twist? I know this is pretty basic stuff but I'm impatient nd want to know everything now!!

I will post a pic of the swelling in the next post!

Any input appreciated
Thank
Sam

pic of the swelling, not too good but you get an idea...

Does look like your other shed was NOT a POS!!! Should be seeing her shed in about 2 1/2 weeks (add another week or two if that is the pre-ov swell).
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Thanks. So does that 1st photo look like the twist? I've also got a pair of het albinos together and the female has just gone into her POS. I observed swelling with her but no twist? As I said before, its hard to know exactly what something should look like until you've seen it for yourself!

Cheers
Sam

"its hard to know exactly what something should look like until you've seen it for yourself"

Exactly and pics just don't show what you can see in person!!!
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

"Thanks. So does that 1st photo look like the twist? I've also got a pair of het albinos together and the female has just gone into her POS. I observed swelling with her but no twist? As I said before, its hard to know exactly what something should look like until you've seen it for yourself! "

Not only that , you can have 5 females breed all at the same time, and each one can show you different things, or no things to go by. Some court for 2 months, some for 2 weeks. Some don't have POS, some don't show a noticable twist. Some don't lay in the heat conservation position. I've had some this year right under the hot spot, and others on the cool side most of the time -- good litters from both situations so far. Some refuse to take meals , some don't act gravid at all. I've bred Boas for years, and still have some that leave me guessing. Write down (and date) things that you observe, because you'll forget by the next time you try.
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I'm just the snake room janitor

Agreed 100% I have 12 possibles this year. Six read the instruction manual and IMO are clearly gravid, Courting and/or Visual Copulation, Ovulation, POS, heat conservation position. Due dates calculated from Ovulation closely match due dates from POS. Of course due dates vs actual are yet to be determined.

The other six I am not counting out, I actually believe several are gravid, just not sure due to some missing signs!!

The only true 100% sign of being gravid is little slimers in the cage!!!
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Blimey!! Why can't they be nice and easy like balls??!! Keeps it all exciting though I guess!

Thanks for all your comments