Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok its only been a day over 3 weeks (last feed date was 04/29/10, small rat) but that's like a lifetime for a Black Milk I would think!!! Being that they are such insane feeders I am concerned something is up. I did give her a new house for more room a tad over a month ago, and her last meal did take me leaving it in her cage with her overnight, but I have never had any issue with any of my Blacks caring about a new cage that they would not eat a meal. I can feed them in my lap if I wanted to! She is not losing weight from what I can see, she is very active and cruises around her cage all the time seemingly looking for food. Could she maybe be looking for a male? I have 2 males that are in the same room with her but they are feeding as usual without issue at all. Do adult females go off feed for breeding season? She is about 55 inches long last shed was 05/11/10. Any thoughts from you long time Milk (or more specifically Black Milk) keepers would be most appreciated!
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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

toss a male in there.......she seema to be searching for something/one......

Haha yeah but I dont want her getting prego too early than whats safe for her. Some advice I got was that 5 years of age was the minimum I should start at for a female black. I dont want to risk doing it too early and have her at risk for egg binding or other complications that could happen if she isn't ready yet. But then again, maybe her behavior is telling me she is ready huh?
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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

5 years? No way... 3-4 years of age and 4-5 feet in length is a more reasonable rule of thumb. She's old enough and big enough for breeding... and her behavior is a strong indicator as well... go for it!

Nate

Oh wow seriously? I didn't want to push her too early but I know you are quite versed with these guys and would know much better than I do! Thanks for the input Nate!!! I gotta read up on how to care for eggs now I'll google for info but if you have any sources I can refer to, especially with these blacks, I would be most grateful!!
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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

she'll be grateful too.......toss a male in there.....like eh...now....eggs are easy....set 'em up and watch 'em...

Haha ok ok I'll do it!! I guess this is what I have been wanting to learn to do so why not now if she is telling me she wants it
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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

Markus, definitely let us know what happens with the attempted breeding! Pictures would be great too!

Thanks Suzanne I definitely will!!! Just gotta find some time when I will be home for longer than a few minutes, I'm nervous leaving them together unsupervised. But now that my hectic weekend is done I should have some freed up time after work each night this week to give it a go!!! Fingers crossed!!!
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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

if you wait to long you"ll miss the ovulation period.....and she'll drop slugs....don't worry....just chuck a male in there...

Ok I got him in there! He is all over her biting her on the back but she aint having none of it yet haha! How long can I keep them together (or should I) if they haven't started the deed yet? Is it ok if I leave for a bit or do I need to supervise at all times?
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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!

Hmm... well, I hate to say it, but after re-reading your original post and seeing that her last shed was two weeks ago, it's possible that you may have missed your window of opportunity. I've been keeping my black milks in the same enclosure for about a month now, but it wasn't until today, just after the female shed, that they really started going at it... it always seems to be after the female's second shed each spring. It's possible that your female was fertile at the time of her last shed on 5/11, and her appetite has been low because she's been getting nutrition from re-absorbing unfertilized eggs. Then again, if she's been off feed since late April, there may be other factors in play. Maybe she was actually fertile two sheds ago. Either way, since they're still unproven, I wouldn't advise leaving them together unsupervised for any length of time, but keep introducing them until after the female's next shed. If she still isn't receptive after that, well, there's always next year. Good luck!

Nate

Nate, thank you so much for taking the time to write all of that! Being such a newb to this (breeding) I can use all the help I can get! Anyhow, funny thing last night, after I wrote that last question if I could leave them together or not unsupervised...I hadn't gotten a response yet so I was googling around and read in several places that most breeders leave their milks together for a while so I thought I was good to do so as well. None of them mentioned doing that with unproven animals though. So I had left my house to go out to dinner when you sent your response lol! I was like crud I hope I don't come home to two dead snakes! Luckily I found them both in different hides that I left in the cage just in case they settled down and wanted to rest. So whew!!! Anyhow, yeah I think you are right though, she was not very receptive to my male. He was all over her biting her back and she was running away from him non stop. And thank you for the info on why she might not be hungry all of a sudden. That had me seriously concerned since she has always been an insane feeder on anything I put in front of her. Hopefully she will get back to feeding here asap!!! I will try to let them go at it a few more times this week though and let them get more accustomed to each other. And as you say if not this go round, I will be better prepared for next year!!! Thanks again Nate! Really appreciate all your help!!!!

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~Markus

The very existence of flamethrowers means that sometime, somewhere, someone said to themselves..."You know, I really want to set those people over there on fire...but I'm just not close enough to get the job done!