Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I never intended to breed them, I thought they wouldn't breed unless they were brumated! but the male has been all over the female for like 2 weeks now, and a couple of times I saw actual mating. I've never bred snakes before, only geckos, so now I am full of questions, probably too many to be answered forum-style, but any advice you want to give will be helpful. and is there maybe some good online basic info about caring for gravid boas? thanks much.

~They shouldn't brumate. A little cooling is debatable, but real brumation is asking for trouble.
i.e. - Death
Many folks lately have said tht they think Boas breed despite cooling, and not because of it. I tend to lean toward that side of the argument a little.
I think a little bit lower temperature at night is sufficient to prompt them into action, but I am not experienced at breeding boas, just colubrids, although I have a gravid girl or two, or three right now myself.
Day time High, Night Time Low fluctuations are a fairly tried and true method, but if they are going for it, they are going for it.

How big (weight) is your female, and how old?
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Jeremy J. Anderson
snakepimp.com
gemstatereptiles.com
Of course it's my opinion, I said it, didn't I?
Are they using the beef to control your mind? That stuff in your cigarettes, your beer and the wine Is working its way, infiltrating your spine, Today is the day you should wake up and find That they’re using the beef to control your mind. --(excerpt from a musical I wrote...)

Actually they may have experienced a brief cooling period when I was a few weeks late winterizing the house oops. Altho if they dont need to brumate that was probably irrelevant.

She and the male are both 7 years old. I dont know her actual weight but shes good and solid and healthy, but not extra plumped up to prepare for breeding. I hope that won't be a problem.

question: just because they mated, does that guarantee that she will ovulate?

With your pair ! There's some basic info. at www.classreptilia.com click on "Collection" then click on Boa's then Boa Husbandry, you can find some info. on Boa Breeding/ after the fact there ! Take Care !
Kenneth
omahasnakes@yahoo.com

That was very helpful, thanks! How long does the football swelling last? Is it subtle or obvious? And do I have to remove the male? What happens if I leave them together? (because they always live together and he doesn't have his own cage. yet.)

Also I see they recommend pine shavings as substrate for juveniles. Arent pine shavings a big no-no?

This much, when she ovulate's it's real obvious, as of the Football size sweeling and how long doe's it last, I dont know, this year is my first year at attempting to Breed Boa's and I've only seen pic.'s here on the Forum of an Ovulating Female and they are HUGE ! ! ! Maybe someone else can answer that one, and if your Female doe's ovulate and you notice she is Gravid I would Find a new encloser for the Male "ASAP", and as far as useing Pine for substrate alot of Keeper's do, but I would'nt I use Paper Towel's News-Paper & Aspen, Good Luck with everything and any more question's just ask I'll try and help, Take Care !
Kenneth
omahasnakes@yahoo.com