Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We're right at 70 days out from bringing our San Diegos out of brumation. Our female first shed some time in the week of March 8th. I've noticed a lot of variation here on the forums - some people's pits just bred a few weeks ago, and some people's pits are already getting ready to lay eggs.

I haven't noticed any obvious breeding behavior in them, but our male stopped eating three weeks ago. Female is eating good. She looks like she's about ready to have her second shed this year.

Where do you guys think we are? Have you ever had pits breed after their second shed, rather than their first? Or do you think, unless they bred already without me noticing it, I've got no such luck this year? I will keep my eyes out though - I know the pre-lay shed is usually about 2 weeks before laying if she is gravid.

Maybe a picture will help. She does look kinda chunky, right?

i learned to never rely on sheds with pits. i would wait until june for a female to shed and would end up with nothing.

after brumation i would feed the female as much as she would eat and then regularly keep her with the male for most of the next two months. as long as they weren't killing each other i let them be, and only spearated them at feeding/cleaning. when they seemed completely disinterested in each other i would put the female back into her own enclosure.

my pines were sneaky breeders, i almost never saw them breed. but once i started pairing them up early and not waiting i had very good success.
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alcohol, tobacco and firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency

I agree with Dave. I go by time instead of shed. Mine usually start breeding about 2 months after warm and that's where you now. I keep them together all the time. Only separating them to feed and then right back together. Even keeping several male in the same inclosure.
Like Dave says, secretive breeders. Plus don't over feed them, they tend to get lazy.

Jason

hey, how ya doin' ?!?

i know it sounds kind of lazy to just throw 'em together, but i learned the hard way that a 6 foot pine does not want her follicles palpated, hahaha. literature and theory get you so far, and then some time practical experience has to take over. sometimes the art of the breeder triumphs over science!

tony d has an interesting post over in kings, got anything to add?

peace,
daveb

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alcohol, tobacco and firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency