Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm back with some more questions and needing advice; this is my first go round with fla. kings. I put my pair together - the male starts with a few love bites - the female rattles her tail and on occasionly they get themselves all twisted but nothing else materializes; I think the female is attempting to get away. I leave them together for about one hour and then I remove them since nothing much else happens; I don't want to leave them alone unattended.

Any advice or suggestions - all are welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jim

If they're well-fed, and there's not a great size difference, I seriously doubt you're gonna have any problems. The behavior you've described is courtship, and means both snakes are showing interest. Some snakes will get right down to business within minutes of the initial intro, whereas others need a little more time together. I'm sure if you just leave them alone (for more than an hour) they'll figure it out. Also, a pair will breed multiple times while they're together, so in other words, you have to give them a chance to breed before separating them.

By the end of the day, you're probably gonna have several more comments and replies, so pay attention.

Good luck!

I agree with Micah, pretty much. If they have been well fed and of the same size, they should be ok. I have the same thing going on with a few of my pairs. The males are ready but the females aren't quite ready. I keep introducing them together every couple days or so to give the female time to get with the program. I leave them for a few hours together, checking in on them periodically. I have forgotten to separate a few times, and they spent the night together. Normally I separate them before I go to sleep just so I can get peaceful sleep, lol. Keep doing this untill she looks obviously gravid and ready to lay. I believe the whole chasing around actually helps the female to get in the mood, a bit like Snake foreplay. Some people keep their Getula together year round, or in groups. That is an individual choice for everyone to decide. Continue with caution.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

Hi Jim,

I think you're right not to leave them alone unattended. Does the female try to flee the male, and lash her tail at him? If that's the case, she's not ready. If there's just a general lethargy to the event--some body-twining but no copulation (and if you're sure of that) then I'd say you're close, but not there: try them again every two days.

good luck and keep us posted

Thanks for all the advice. From what I gathered, the female may not be ready yet. I'll keep trying every few days and keep posted as to how we're doing. All, thanks again for the help.

Jim

My girl did that a few times. Finally, one day, she just sat there and took it. Now she is gravid and going into shed. Waiting on a second female to stop thrashing and show some interest in the same male.
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Nick Puder
www.rnpreptiles.com