Reptile & Amphibian Forums

theyve bred 3-4 times a month since Dec. 1st and are still locking up. no ovulation. what could be wrong?

Whats the age and size of the snakes? Does the female have proper body size for her length? Is the male producing sperm plugs? Sometimes everything's right and the female just doesn't want to go. I have 1 stubborn female that has excellent body size and weight and has been bred the last 2 years that still doesn't want to commit. Then I have (2) 2 year olds that were 1400g in November that will lay in the next 2 weeks. Go figure!
Chris

the male is 06 and the female is an 05. both are of good size and age. ive never seen plugs on the male but then again i wouldnt know when and how too look for. or exactly what they look like. another breeder told me if theyre breeding its because theyre ready.
how common is it to have an unfertile snake or two?

Just because they're breeding doesn't mean they're ready. I've even seen males court other males, but if they're locking up it is a good sign. Have you noticed any cooling behavior on the females part. They typically cool thier body for a month or so while they're developing folicles. This is only my second year to produce so I'm not an expert, but now I recomgnize the behavioral changes and understand what they're doing better.

Do you only have 1 pair of snakes? If you know how to pop your snakes pop the male and you should see sperm plugs around his hemipenes.Markus Jayne has an excellent pictorial about breeding on his page you should visit it. Check it out and see if you recognize any behavior. Best of luck.
Chris