Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an adult pair of alterna that I picked up around Christmas 09. I am told they have paired up twice with small clutches as the female was young(doubled her first year). They were not cooled or put together the following year and I got them late and they seemed thin so I didn't cool them last year either.Is there any reason that after I cool them and then bring them back up next year that they won't breed? I guess I am asking " If they don't use it, do they lose it"? Also, I house them together and plan to cool them together for what ever that's worth.

You can not breed your pair as often as you want without loosing any chance the "next time" in all ways except the eventual onset of old age in your breeders.
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Herp Conservation Unlimited

If people really learn from their mistakes, I should be like the smartest guy in the world

These 2 posts leave me scratching my head... Hope I don't "loose" it!

I'm not trying to sound like a dope. I am just asking if snakes that haven't been cooled for a couple of years will breed the spring after they have been. I now see that it sounded dumb.

Your question may not be as dumb as some of the responses. The use it or loose it probably is more true for the female than the male. Sperm are virtually unlimited as long as the male remains viable. Eggs on the other hand are finite. She will only make so many during her life. If she ovulates and does not get fertilized, her eggs will go to waste. When she runs out of egg folicles she will become infertile. Males are triggered into breeding by a female that has ovulated. The female will probably not ovulate unless she has been cycled (whatever conditions she needs to cycle). Cycling varies from one species to another. If she does not ovulate she will not produce eggs. Several conditions may make a male infertile. In my experience, too hot will do it.

I think the easy answer to your question is NO, not breeding for a couple of years does not mean your snakes cannot breed this year. It will depend on whether or not you met their needs. I say whether or not YOU met their needs, as you have total control over their environment.

ECTimaeus

Thank you very much. That was very helpful.

"lose" it?????.....

I asked about losing it. Not trying to be a grammar nazi. I will take advice without regard to spelling.

i was confused myself.....no offense intended.....

For the record (if one is being kept). I started the post with "lose it". The loose came in later..lol