Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All, just wanted to know what the more experienced breeders out there do in their breeding regimes.

Q1. Do you guys introduce while still cooling or do you introduce after you start to warm things up again?

Q2. Do you seperate males and female after introducing for a couple days, and if you do, is this to give males a rest or is it because they get too familar with each other? If it is because they get too familar with each other, is it then ok to introduce the male to another female, never giving the male a rest.

Q3. When do you see the most active breeding, after cooling, before cooling or after warming the enclosures back to normal?

Q4. If you had 8 adult females and 3 adult males( 1 male being quite fat), what would you recommend me do, so as all females get enough exposure to the males. I was thinking i could house the females in pairs and hit 2 birds with one stone so to speak.

Q5. When the males are repeatedly introduced then taken away and then introduced again, wouldnt this stress him out, and if it does, will his mating urges decrease somewhat?

cheers
Mark

"Q1. Do you guys introduce while still cooling or do you introduce after you start to warm things up again?"

I normal introduce during the warm up.

"Q2. Do you seperate males and female after introducing for a couple days, and if you do, is this to give males a rest or is it because they get too familar with each other? If it is because they get too familar with each other, is it then ok to introduce the male to another female, never giving the male a rest."

Yes, this gives the male time to rest and when reintroduced will be ready and willing to breed again. I would probably give the male a few days before introducing him to another female.

"When do you see the most active breeding, after cooling, before cooling or after warming the enclosures back to normal?"

Normally the will breed from the warm up till meid spring or until they ovulate.

"Q4. If you had 8 adult females and 3 adult males( 1 male being quite fat), what would you recommend me do, so as all females get enough exposure to the males. I was thinking i could house the females in pairs and hit 2 birds with one stone so to speak."

Just rotate all three males with all eight girls. This would give you better odds in case one of your males doesn't do the job.

"Q5. When the males are repeatedly introduced then taken away and then introduced again, wouldnt this stress him out, and if it does, will his mating urges decrease somewhat?"

No, I don't think it stresses them. I believe seperation actually increases activity.
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www.moreliapythons.com

Thanks JK, certainly cleared up some doubtful questions. Just one more thing, i started cooling about 5 weeks ago now, anyway i introduced the males to the females enclousures, and have yet to see any mating going on, is this because it is still cool? From what i have read on this forum, males usually go at it straight away, well mine havent they just keep exploring the cage quite oblivious to the presence of the females, is this because it is still in cooling, maybe i should seperate and wait another four to 6 weeks till warm up and introduce again, what do you guys recommend?

Cheers
Mark

The female probably isn't ready yet. Wait a while and try right after her next shed. She has to produce follicles first, then she will start smelling like $5 whore to your males. If its been a month after warm up and still no action, you can try combating the males, or using other males sheds to get them going.
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www.moreliapythons.com

Thanks JK!! I always assumed the males just went for it anytime of the year when they are put with females. Does anyone else have differing techniques, not that JKs arent good, his points are extremely useful, just curious to know.

chjeers
Mark