>>Hi all.. Just woke up my mex mex pair this week. Will be feeding the heck out of them.. but want to know how do I tell when they are ready to meet? How can I tell she is ready for male and not food???

>>

>>I missed the mark last year and really want these to breed..my first kingsnake breeding..

>>

>>Any tips?



If all you have is one pair why don't you pair them up and separate for feeding? You will NEVER miss the window of opportunity this way, but I hope you keep them well fed or you will end up with just one alive snake.



After a few meals start palpating the female. Let the snake slither through your hands as you press gently on her ventral scales....You will feel a "row of pearls" when she is starting to ovulate. This is USUALLY right around the time the female is in a shed cycle. Many call this shed cycle after brumation a pre ovulation shed, but I have had female kingsnakes ovulate before and after this shed...sometimes not until the female

sheds two or even three times after brumation......LOL



One thing to remember is the fact that caloric intake will allow the female to produce egg follicles.........So feed her as much as she wants.....Your male may not even want to eat until after breeding....that is why it is so important to feed them well prior to brumation......



Good luck.....I really like Mex Mex too.......
-----
John Lassiter

Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

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