Although these shed dates don't apply to every specimen, there seems to be a trend toward this occurrence. The first shed gives the keeper an idea as to how close the females are to full follicle (unfertilized egg) development. Females appear to reach maximum reproductive receptivity from 3-14 days after this first shed. The easiest way to determine if a female is reproductively active is to introduce her into the male's cage. If, upon body contact with the male, the female violently flips her tail, bunches up her body, or constantly tries to stay away from the male, she probably is not ready. Under these circumstances, the male may try to overpower the female or rapidly lose interest. However, if the female responds by slowly crawling around the cage stretched out, allowing the male to crawl on her back, and lifting her tail to expose the cloaca, she is ready. To insure a viable mating to a female that responds positively, it is best to reintroduce a male at least 2 more times, several days apart. At some point in early egg development, the gravid female will begin to show the negative response to the presence of the courting male.

Steven T. Osborne

Here is the link

http://www.kingsnake.com/colubrid/2.html



My point is since snakes dont read the book or the care sheets why not put them together before the first shed and after it.You cant do any harm and dont forget that if you miss the cycle then you dont get a gravid snake.



here is the whole link from the start

http://www.kingsnake.com/colubrid/index.html



Good Luck
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"Wake me when its April"











Doug L

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