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nesting sulcata?

SnakeGrrl Mar 07, 2005 10:17 PM

So here is the story, maybe someone here can help me out...

I have two rescued G. sulcatas, a male "Rocket" (~15 lbs) and a female "Emily" (~20 lbs). They live outdoors in the warm weather and inside in cooler/wet weather (I live in northern California). They have a 4-5 foot deep burrow they dug into the hillside where they retreat at night.

The male constantly, year round, tries to mate with the female. Follows her around, mounts her, and grunts profusely. I have NEVER seen her allow him to actually coplulate and usually tries to get away, or just sits there with occasional sideways jerks to notify him of her displeasure.

Well the other day I had them outside for some sun (still too cool for 24 hour outdoor freedom) and when I went to bring them in, I noticed an interesting furrow in the ground. It looked just liek their sleeping burrow did when they first started making it, so I figured one of them must have decided to move. I brought them inside for the night and thought nothing of it.

Well two days later I had them out again, and when I went to retrienve them, I found the Emily digging a second furrow, just like the first, and right next to it. Strang thing was, she had herself backed into the depression and was shuffling around with her BACK feet (unlike when she dug their home, which she used her front legs).

It dawned on me, perhaps she is nesting? I also wonder why she gave up on the first and began the second...It didn't look like she had actually layed anything (the soil is dense clay and was packed down tight, didn't look like it has been loosend at all). To be safe I will dig around tomorrow to make sure there isn't anything in there. Any ideas as to what's up? Here are some photos of her and the depressions, as well as one of the male peering out of their sleeping burrow...





Replies (3)

ecoman Mar 08, 2005 04:49 AM

...like crazy until yer dunno what to do with them...

SnakeGrrl Mar 08, 2005 11:07 PM

I don't WANT them to reproduce. I see so many unwanted/ mistreated sulcatas out there, so few people equipped to care for them properly If I managed to actually get eggs, I will most likely destroy them, except maybe one for myself. A shame, but I don't think the hobby needs anymore at this point in time...

ecoman Mar 09, 2005 10:29 AM

>>A shame, but I don't think the hobby needs anymore at this point in time...

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