Breeding ? for FAvelle...

[JDouglas]

Hey Jeff or anyone else,
I have a few questions for you.

How long does the noticable swelling from the preovulation and ovulation last in carpet pythons?

The reason that I am asking is because my Irian Irian Jaya female has been
very swollen for about the last five days. She's swollen in the the last half of her body and her skin is stretched to the point where you can see the spaces between her scales. It looks like she has a large digested meal in her but she hasn't been fed since Halloween.

Based on the duration of the swelling I would think she has ovulated. Do you think so?

Should I remove the male and no longer introduce him?

Do you feed your carpets while they are gravid?

Thanks

[Jeff_Favelle]

The thing that I notice with Carpets every time JD, is that they seem to have a “double-swelling”. That is, they breed for about 2 weeks in December, then they separate and the female will swell slightly-to-moderately soon after, without even being fed. But then a week later, you put the male in and they’re mating again!! So definitely not ovulation, ha ha!

So this is what I generally see:

1) Start cycling in November.
2) Put the animals together 2-3 weeks later and they begin mating (male combat may or may not be necessary).
3) The female swells. Whether that’s building follicles, moving infertile ova around, beats me.
4) They mate some more.
5) Female sheds.
6) 3-4 weeks later, she ovulates. (pre-ovulation shed. Doesn’t always happen)
7) 3-4 weeks later, another shed
8) 24-31 days later lays eggs.

Now, this isn’t ALWAYS the way it happens, but usually with my animals, this is what I can expect.

Also, pre-ovulation swelling and ovulation look totally different from what I’ve seen. Ovulation is moving the ovum to the oviduct and it seems to be more localized. Like a large lump. Softball-looking. Pre-ovulation swelling just makes the carpet look fat, but in the latter 2/3 of the body.

I feed all the way up to ovulation. After that, no more until after she lays the eggs. Carpets are slender animals and the eggs take up a TON of room in their body. I wouldn’t risk it.

And re-introducing the male won't have any adverse effects. As long as she has room to bask/thermoregulate, he won't bother her.

That’s about all I can think of man. Best of luck and happy holidays!! :D

[JDouglas]

Jeff,
Thanks for the info. After reading your post, a few books, and a couple posts on the VPI Mail Bag I would agree that she is just developing follicles. The swelling makes her look fat and is not localized. It has also increased gradually.

It sounds like I am on the right track now to get these to breed but I have a few more questions...

At this stage in the game (preovulation swelling) what temps are your carpets kept at?

Right now mine are at 78F with no basking spot 24/7. When I turn on the 95F basking spot the ambient temp will raise to 82F. I plan on cycling the basking spot on during the day on January 1st. Then on February first I plan on leaving the basking spot on 24/7. Does this sound right to you?

[Jeff_Favelle]

Right now, my Carpets are still cycling, so they are at regular temps during the day (92F-80F gradient) and at night everything drops to 75F. This will continue until around Feb. 15th. If I notice a female becomming gravid or one is unusually hungry, I'll throw in a heat pad so they always have access to 92F.

[Tim_Cranwill]

Ok, mind if I throw a few Q's in here? :)

I am doing the same thing Jeff explained in his last post and I have been placing the pair together on and off for the past few weeks with no "results". I don't have another male to combat mine with but are there any other little tricks I can do to turn these two snakes on? :)

They are both about 56" and still feeding pretty regularly. The heat is on 12 hours a day...

Thanks guys. :)

[Jeff_Favelle]

I'm finding that no matter what I do, they don't start REALLY breeding until the middle of January. They will fight, combat, males will spur, females will flee etc etc, but REAL copulation still doesn't happen until mid January.

Keep them separate Tim, wait until the female sheds, put the male in, spray with warm water, and stuff should start happening within a couple of hours.

[Tim_Cranwill]

Cool. :) Thanks Jeff. I may hit you up for some more advice when the time comes...

Have a great Christmas, man!

[Jeff_Favelle]

You too bro. Take it easy. I'll be raising more than a few rum-&-egg nogs for me sSnakeSs.com friends!!


:D

And remember Tim, never hesitate to call or email. I'm always around.

[Derrick]

I've never bred anything before snake related so take this how ever you want. Tim had mentioned not having another male to combat. On another site I've seen it suggest in this case that if you have an old shed you could try putting that in with the maleand it may help to get him going.
http://www.moreliapythons.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1500&highlight=combat