Reptile & Amphibian Forums

At approx what length and age is it that a male Suri can breed? I currently have a 36 inch male, give or take, (unsure of when born) who is currently refusing to eat this last month. I was told from another this is due to the breeding season. He has no parasites or anything found from the herp vet check-up. He has also lately been "musting" on me when I hold him - he releases a nasty odor from his cloaca. I do not have much experience with male redtails, since I've always kept females the last couple of years and have never experienced this. How about you guys/gals???

I don't keep Suri's or any of the 'true' redtails, but can say some of my male boas (Bci) will start going through the breeding stages earlier than others. Though personally none of my Bci have ever started breeding behaviour before they'd reached at least four feet in length. If he's in shed, or about to go in shed, he may go off feed. Also, be sure to check to make sure the temperatures are in the right range as too cool temperatures can cause them to go off feed. You might try feeding him at night - I've found that to work for several snakes that were shy feeders or otherwise reluctant feeders. The old standby trick is to place him in a paper bag (or a plastic tub will work fine) with the prekilled or frozen thawed prey item and then put him back in his cage overnight. The prey should be gone come morning.

What he's doing with the release of fluids or whatever from his cloaca is called musKing (note it's a K, not a T - musting is what bull elephants do during their breeding season). Many types of snakes will musk or defecate on you to get you to release them when they don't want to be handled.

Raven

Thanks Raven, you've given me some things to think about...
Hmmm well he's always been a strong feeder for me, never refused a meal. He used to eat so much I'm sure he'd eat me out of house and home if I let him. I have raised the temps though. They were down slightly because my place has been alot warmer since its still summer here in Colorado (until today - cold/rainy) and I hate turning on the a/c No fluid comes out of his cloaca, just a bad odor when he "musks". His temperment has always been a bit skittish too, so I think your right - he uses that as a deterant because he doesn't want to be held. But he calms down after I handle him for a minute. As far as feeding overnight, I've attempted this 3-4 times, to no avail. He seems not to be interested whatsoever. I've even tried live prey so he'd be attracted by the movement. No luck. I'll try again after a few days of raised temps. I was just weirded out from him "musking". The only other snakes I've observed this in was garter snakes as a kid catching them! I guess I was a herper from the begining

Kind Regards, Andrea

It could very well be that he's either hitting his first awareness of wanting to breed or it could be just a temporary fast. While my boas rarely do it, several of my pythons will take a break from regular feeding. It could also be from the slight temperature fluctuations you mentioned. Here in VA I usually run the AC during the summer, so temperatures remain pretty constant year round, but there are always those odd days that are unseasonably cool or warm. Even slight variations are picked up more-so by our reptiles than by us. You're lucky if you're only getting the musky scent and no liquid then. Of the boas and pythons that have musked me, I've also been urinated and defecated on at the same time. What fun...not! lol You're right in that wild garter snakes are known for it, the same goes for wild black snakes (theirs often smells like burning rubber and just does not seem to come off!). Is it possible he's going into shed? I have a couple of snakes that are particularly testy in the weeks before and during their shed cycle. Also, many snakes will go off feed prior to and during their shed. Basically, if he's gotten a clean bill of health from the vet, and is showing no signs of illness or parasites, a little fasting isn't going to hurt him. Just keep an eye out if he starts to lose weight or begins acting 'off' or ill, then get him back to the vet.

Raven

He is due to shed in the next 1-2 weeks. But no sign of shedding yet. He's his normal bright pink self. He hasn't darkened up and no blue eyes yet. One thing I did notice the other night though...as he was coiled up, the back length of his body was back down, with his stomach exposed. To me he looked like a gravid female ball. I nudged him (then he flipped right-side-up) and held him when I saw this behavior, and he acted perfectly fine, and I haven't seen him do it since. His weight is good still, its only been 28 days since his last meal. I'll keep weighing him, and ofcourse take him back to the vet if his condition worsens. After all, its only been a month...so I can't worry too much yet.