|
1-3 of 3 messages
|
Page 1 of 1
|
|
Gravid , retaining sperm or neither, PLEASE READ!
|
Reply
|
|
by BwViper on October 27, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
I have a female Western diamondback that I have had over 4 years. Early this year, she bred with my albino male. They were locked up for almost 24 straight hours.
She has not had any babies yet. Shortly after breeding, she started feeding wildy, like three/four rats per feeding each week. Then a month or so later she went off feed for nearly 4 months and didn't lose any weight. Sometimes she looks gravid and some times she don't. She is back feeding now and still sometimes looks gravid and sometimes don't.
I have never tried breeding western diamondbacks. I do know they can retain sperm up to a year. Could this be the case? Could she have not took, as this would have been/is her first?
I would really like some info from people who have bred this species before. Any info would be great, as I have really been looking forward to having my favorite snake give me some youngins. Thanks in advance!!!
Bobby
|
| |
|
RE: Gravid , retaining sperm or neither, PLEASE R
|
Reply
|
|
by AquaHerp on October 29, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
|
It sounds to me like the breeding didn't take for you. Well, for her.
|
| |
|
RE: Gravid , retaining sperm or neither, PLEASE R
|
Reply
|
|
Anonymous post on November 1, 2004
|
Mail this to a friend!
|
Bobby,
It's difficult to make a diagnosis based on your present situation. I would still say at this present point and time......."The verdict is still out on whether your snake is going to reproduce".
What I mean is...it is possible your snake is gravid. C. atrox are very easy to breed. After conception, female snakes often demonstrate an insatiable appetite to nourish the developing embryos. As her embryos begin to gestate many times they go off feed. This would possibly explain the behavior you are seeing. She has since begun to feed, right? If this is the case, this does seem *a little unusual as often times when dams go off feed, feeding doesn't usually resume until term. *usually! Keep offering food, but offer it in smaller amounts.
The best thing you can do is make sure that your female has an elevated basking spot, a gradient, and a hide box. I have bred quite a few different snakes. You gotta be patient w/ moms. Sometimes they look gravid, sometimes they don't. I think this is due to the shifting of embryos, food, water, or a combination thereof inside the snake. I know what you mean. It's hard not to be anxious, but with breeding snakes.....you never know what/if you are going to get anything until term.
By this point, your female should be very heavy, thick and solid near her tail. If she isn't...my gut tells me you could get slugs. Don't be discouraged if you do. It isn't the end of the world. Many novice (pardon the term) breeding herpetoculturists report high slug ratios when they first begin. This is discouraging but often times it's the result of some sort of husbandry error. Sometimes its not. Sometimes....many times females don't do well their first year either. Their body hasn't fully adjusted or has not been adequately prepared for the big taxation of breeding. The best thing you can do is try as hard as you can having a sound breeding procedure. Often times herpetoculturists witness one mating and believe they are going to end up w/ babies. One mating is all it takes sometimes. A more sound method almost guarantees fertility and fecundity. Fertility and fecundity are related to your female producing and "how well" she reproduces. You don't want a high slug ratio amongst newborns. Such is the case sometimes w/ minimal introductions and copulations. Me, I begin breeding my animals at the beginning of the season. I actually start as soon as possible. Sometimes a week or two before. I also like to use multiple males whenever possible. I rotate my males over a period of 4 or 5 days over the course of the season. At the beginnning of introduction, sometimes courtship and copulation are observed immediately. Sometimes not. I continue the male introduction/rotation until I am almost positive the female is gravid. Determining gravidity is difficult. That's why I continue the male introduction/rotation as she passes thru her shed cycles, swells, etc. I only seperate snakes for feeding. This breeding method is somewhat labor intensive, but by rotating and introducing your males, you maximize the potential for conception. Often times, the herpetoculturist witnesses a breeding, observes the ovulation swelling (which doesn't mean she's gravid), and ceases introducing males, b/c gravidity has been falsely determined. Such accidents are common, nonetheless discouraging. Keep an eye on shed cycles in the spring. They are your best indicator for ovulation, and it's crucial to have at least one male in w/ her at this time.
Good luck.
-The Headless Horseman
|
| |
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
Check our help page for help using
, or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the
Manager.
|
