Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Howdy-
Well I think that it may be time to finally introduce my cali pair. I was kinda hoping that I could get some help making sure that I get it right. My biggest problem is that I am a complete wuss, and to be honest I worry about what will happen if they decide that the other is food (I can hear some of you giggling at my expense now). So here's the deal. I created a seperate container for them to hopefully get to know each other in. I alternated the two to see their reaction to the scent of the other, never having them together. Both showed rapid tongue flicking, and spent some time slowly around the container. Of course, it is a new environment for both, so that could be part of it. The male never showed any other behavior other than searching (my wife says he's 'expecting something'). The female on the other hand, after slowly moving around became very agitated and reacted suddenly to any quick movement, including tail rattling. For any slower movement she moved quickly in the direction of the movement as she does when she smells a prey item. Does anybody have any advice? I really want this to work out this year. Thanks.
--Doug

I usually have the male in an established cage and introduce the female(s)to him there.He is on home turf,he is(should be,lol) the aggressor...size being equal of course.If they want to eat each other they USUALLY react within a couple minutes so its ok to watch.Of course take all scent of food out as well as the water(it will be spilt no doubt).These "sessions"can be over quickly and the female removed to lessen your anxiety.Keep introducing the female(s)over the period of a week or 2 to insure fertility.They will generally get "accustomed" to the arrangement and you get familiar with their duration.Good luck,Jeff

You just need to put them together and observe. If the female goes into heavy escape mode you may want to seperate them and try in a couple of days. If the male is aggresive he will go right to business and you will know if they are ready. Just keep them in sight if you are worried about the female having a meal after copulation. relax and have fun with it and let the snakes tell the story.

Anyone here who's giggling is probably laughing *with* you, not at you. There have been horror stories on here of breeders taking off briefly after introducing their pair, only to return to find one fat snake. Your concerns are thus justified.

My limited experience with introduction of breeding pairs is that their behavior during mating is relatively tame (relative to if one wants to eat the other, that is). The latter becomes a life and death struggle, and the aggressive/defensive responses of the two snakes can become quite violent. But they certainly can kick it up a couple of notches whilst in the throngs of love, as well. You just have to be a voyeur for a while, and be ready to intervene quickly if sex takes a back seat to hunger.

Courtship easily can be mistaken for attempted cannibalism in kings. The male typically will grasp the female with his mouth, usually just behind her head. To the unwary, he will appear to be trying to devour her. But if he then positions his body alongside hers in an attempt to line up their vents, all is well.
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MichaelB