Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my pr. of southern hogs together now for a couple of weeks.Although I haven't witnessed a hook-up,the female is getting really huge and the male is all over her.When I tried to pick her up last night he wrapped himself around her as if to prevent me from moving her,also she is turning blue.Personally I think she's gravid so,I removed the male and set up a laying box!Will keep you posted! Jeff

Jeff-

I would keep him with her until he loses interest, which he surely will as soon as she is carrying fertilized eggs..... There is nothing to be lost (and possibly much to be gained) by letting them mate repeatedly.....
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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

Thanks for the quick response Brad but,I forgot to mention that they'd been together overnight several times prior to being kept together for two weeks. Should I put him back with her even tho she's going to shed? Thanks! Jeff

Jeff-

Thanks for the info-no, I would agree the thing to do is remove him as she goes through her shed cycle. However, I would reintroduce him immediately after her shed, just to see if he still wants to court her. Usually, a male will lose interest in a gravid female-but not always. Better safe than sorry-I've had successful mating in my hognose after the first, second and even third post-brumation sheds!
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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

Here's a pic of her.She looks like a sausage and is just about as active!lol! Jeff

Oops! Here's the pic! Jeff

Jeff, I'd say I was about 80% sure that gal is gravid-I'd still try her with the male after shedding, just to be sure....
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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

Thanks Brad,will do! Jeff

Jeff,

As previously mentioned I would reintroduce the male after her shed and look for copulation for a few days then I would add a egg laying box slightly before the recorded time for oviposition, so this way if she isn't gravid he has his shot at fertilization and if she is she still has an appropriate place to deposit her eggs.

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Thanks,

Frank Roberts

Thanks Frank! That's what I'll do!! Jeff

>>Thanks Frank! That's what I'll do!! Jeff
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Thanks,

Frank Roberts