Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is my first attempt at breeding. I have two female normals - one just over 1600g the other at 1400g. I have a male mojave and a male pastel - one over 900g, the other 840g.

I started lowering the temps last week at night (4 degrees on the heat tape - 91 degrees down to 87 degrees)raising it back up in the day time; plan to continue lowering the temp on the heat tape at night every few weeks until I get down to 80 degrees at night, I will raise it again in the day time.

My question - am I on the right track here? Also, when can I put the snakes together - now, next month or some other time?

Thanks in advance for any advice and suggestions.

Jim

Run things as you are for another 2-3 weeks then do the same but lower the night temps down to more like 77-78 for 10-12 hrs, then back up to day temps like you are doing already. In about 3 weeks start putting them together if you want to or you can wait till early december too before starting introductions , doesn't really matter when you start really. The main thing is to be sure they have good weight for their length, that is the one thing most people don't think about. It isn't just the weight , it's the weight per length that matters on those females, if they aren't thick enough they won't lay much of anything worth setting up in an incubator... A 4 ft 1500 grm female isn't as good as a 3 ft 1500 grm female as far as egg laying goes, the 4 ft girl in this case really needs more weight to do well producing a clutch.

Just my 2 cents,

Anthony McCain

Anthony - thanks for the input, I really appreciate it. Good point on the length vs weight info; my girls are not more than 3' and fairly stocky.

Thanks Again,
Jim

I totally agree with Anthony. Make sure the weight is there and that the animals is really solid.
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Thanks and Take Care
Thomas Jones
sweetpetsshop2@yahoo.com

Thomas - thanks for taking the time to respond; I appreciate the advice.

Jim