Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, all. I'm trying to get my females bred, shifting the male between them and his own cage for a rest. When in with one of the females for more than a day or so, he seems to get agitated and starts biting her. I take him out immediately and put him back into his own cage for a few days. Maybe he's telling me she's done? Any ideas? They are breeding when together, but this last time he was ready to come out after only one day. He has not been observed doing this with the other female. Yet, anyway... I haven't observed ovulation, but she's a big fat girl. Shouldn't it be obvious?

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Amy C.

...Been busy the last few weeks and then I get a chance to hit the BP forum and what do I see, it's Shady Lady with that biting male ball!! This is getting serious, lol!

It's not a common observation for a male to bite a female. Are they quick little nips or full-blown clamp-down kingsnake/pine snake hang-on-for-your-life-and-slam-around-the-cage bites? Probably the former. Is he trying to breed the female during these bites? Any spurring?

As far as ovulation goes, it's hard to miss if you check your females daily. Ovulatory swelling looks like you just fed the snake a big meal, but didn't. The swelling will last approx 12-18 hours as the ova spread into the oviducts. Sperm must be present at this time for fertilization to occur. Due to hormone changes, the male USUALLY will show declining interest in the female post ovulation.

As long as the male is not harming the female(s), just keep doing what you're doing and watch for those ovulations!!

Scott J. Michaels DVM

Hi, Doc. Yeah, he's still biting. Nothing harmful, but he's having a time-out right now. I'll put him back in with the other girl in a day or two and see how he does with her. He didn't bite her when he spent about five days with her and they were mating most of that time. I tried to get a picture of him biting, but didn't get a good angle on it and the flash scared him off. He's a '97 model and a proven breeder, but I don't have any history as to whether he was a biter before. I just got him last fall.

Amy C.

np