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Need Breeding Help!

aries_dolphin Feb 21, 2009 04:36 AM

I have witnessed copulation between 2 of my red tail boas. The female hasn't shown much difference and I would like to know if she is gravid or not.
- How long from the date of witnessed copulation should it be before we see babies?
- Are there any signs to look for to know for sure she is gravid?
- I've been attempting to breed my snakes but I have not seen any results yet, I would appreciate any feedback/suggestions =)

Thanks
-----
Kristina

0.1 normal Kenyan sand boa
1.2 anery Kenyan
1.0 albino Kenyan
0.1 albino paradox Kenyan
0.1 snow Kenyan
0.2 normal red tail
1.1 salmon red tail
1.0 anery red tail
0.1 albino red tail
0.1 bearded dragon
0.1 bunny
1.0 cat

Replies (1)

NUCCIZ_BOAS Feb 21, 2009 03:15 PM

Although not always the case, if you just started witnessing copulation, you probably have a while to go before you can determine if she is gravid or not. In my experience, males will breed the female for weeks-months, then eventually lose interest just prior to the female ovulating. Once she ovulates, some females will go into a shed cycle that takes a little longer than a normal shed. Usually 18-20 days on average. From the day the skin comes off, 105 days you should see babies. 105 is an average, usually give or take 5 days is a safe estimate.

If your female does not have a Post Ovulation Shed, or POS as we call it, which a lot of females do not have, count 120 days from the actual ovulation.... Again, give or take a few days, its just a ballpark estimate of when you can expect babies.

If the female does not swell up large during her gestation, its usually not a good thing. Again, not always the case, but most times that will end in a litter of slugs. Females who swell up larger usually give better litters because the babies inside of her are growing, hence why she would swell up larger over time.

As far as the females actions, once the male loses interest in her and she ovulated, most females will wrap up tightly in Heat Conservative Position, HCP, and sit on the warmer end of the cage to "incubate" her babies. They will usually regulate themselves by moving back and forth to the warmer/cooler ends of the cage, but the majority of the time will probably be near the warmer end.

Hope this helps a little bit. But like I said, if you only witnessed the copulation so far, you have a long process of waiting ahead of you.

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