Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a three year old pair of blairs which I took out of brumation on March 1st after 3 month a 50-55 degrees. I have been feeding the female heavily and she appears gravid. I put the pair together after her first shed and every 3-4 days after but she show no interest in breeding. Is it common for female graybands not to be interested in breeding until after the 2nd shed? If so will she wait until after the 3rd shed to lay her eggs? Thanks

Most if not all of my females wait until after the 2nd shed to lock up.. Before then they either show no interest at all or they fight the male off by slapping thier tails around..

I have talked to several other breeders that have successful pairings after the first shed, but for some reason in my snake room they almost always wait till the after the second??

Good Luck!

~ Mike Russo

Red Bluff's just after breeding last night.. (Male A w/ Female B)

Thanks for the reply Mike. So then they lay after the 3rd shed?Is this unusual for kings and milks? I have pyros that locked up right after the females 1st shed.

That is correct.. Once they start breeding, pair them up a few times then after the next shed they will lay.

~ Mike Russo

I find that alterna breed from late March/early April even into June (I pull adults out of brumation in mid-February). In my collection, it seems female condition is very important to when she breeds. By that I mean, if I have really fed the females up a lot, breeding activity commences....soooo, to answer your question, I have breeding occur after the first spring shed, after the second spring shed, and even after the third spring shed. I don't know if I am hitting a second cycle with my late breedings, but it sure would make sense. The advice you have received from Mike is very good...I would keep animals together EVEN after the female's posterior half expands greatly...hope this helps, gmerker

Thanks for your feedback guys, very helpful. Can I assume from your posts that you keep the male and female together during the entire spring breeding cycle? I have been introducing my kingsnake pairs until I notice them breeding then I leave them togther for a day or two and then separate for feeding for a few days. I repeat this several times until she is ready to lay.
Also how heavy do you feed the females? I have been feeding my females one appropriate size mouse every 3-4 days instead of once per week like I do during the offseason. Is that enough?
Do your graybands normally double clutch?

Some may keep pairs together for the season, but I put them together and watch for activity or leave them for a few hours and if there is no sign of breeding I separate them and try again in a few days.. After a few lock up's the female will refuse the male and you can stop breeding her as she is most likely gravid.

As far as feeding goes, I feed my female a bit more post hibernation & I add RepCal to every other meal.. As per Gerry's findings/recommendation in his July 1996 Reptiles Magazine article.. Which is a great read by the way!

~ Mike Russo