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Yesterday (05/15) was my historical midpoint of my Post Ovulation Shed season. Based on all my litter dates and my average of 117 days POS - Parturition.

That means several, (half) of my 24 breeding females this year should have already had their POS. But, which were POS and which were just sheds? Even after years of doing this, dozens and dozens of litters, Several years of painstaking records on over 40 litters, I still find myself scratching my head on some wondering what is going on. Part of it is some pairings are more secretive than others (1/8 of my recorded pairings have no observed mating at all). Part of it is illiterate little BRB's that never read their own breeding manual.

Don't get me wrong, several are clearly gravid and have the proper sequence of events to show they are done, POS in the bag and settled down to gestate. ie Ginger was observed mating with Wacko on four separate dates between 02/10 and 03/08, Ovulated on 03/18 and shed (POS) 04/04. Picture perfect sequence, breeding off and on over a month, ovulating a week or two after last observed mating, Shed just over two weeks after ovulation. She is clearly gravid and due 07/30/2011.

But I also always have those that do not follow the manual - ugh!! For example, Amber was spotted mating with Phoenix on 03/21. Then nothing until she shed on 05/05. Not as clear as many but looked like that was her POS. Then I catch them mating again this morning.

Can be frustrating trying to figure out what is going on. That is why I keep such detailed records during mating season. I note the dates of every tail wrap, what looks like an ovulation or swelling, and every shed. I even note when one goes opaque to help ID who shed. I also do NOT assume they are done for at least a month after I think they might be done.

For all my pairings I keep them together until I'm sure they are done or I reach my cut off point of mid June. If not done by then, the female gets the year off.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count (02/01/2010):
42.61 BRB
27.40 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Dave, you may just need to sit them down and explain the birds and the bees. If all else fails, dim the lights, light some candles, and put on some Barry White... If things always worked out according to plan, it wouldn't be any fun. Best of luck this breeding season.

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Paul D

www.MoonlightBoas.com

Dave,
...Excellent post. Good information for everyone who wants to breed these snakes. I am approaching my 80th BRB litter and have had over 20 of the other Rainbow Boa litters and I still have lots of failures, frustrations and unanswered questions.
Jeff

Thanks Jeff, was exactly my intent to show that some pairings go like clockwork while a good percentage do not. Those that do not go like clockwork range from a perfect litter to nothing at all.

Wow, almost 80 litters (about 100 with other SSP's) is way cool. Now I have to go count my own..... 66 viable BRB litters, and another 13 BCI litters.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count (02/01/2010):
42.61 BRB
27.40 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats