What not to do....

[JDouglas]

Well, my carpets were copulating again and I wanted to take a pic. Ignorantly, I nudged them with a hook a bit to get them to move a little to get a better angle for a pic and they seperated. I think they were copulating because I thought I saw one of his hemipene inside her but maybe they were just getting into it. I'm not sure. Can they serperate quickly like this?

One time a several years ago I took several corn snakes to a school for a demonstration and when I went to take out two males they were breeding(obviously one was female). I didn't realize it until I lifted one and the other one was connected. They continued to copulate for another few hours even after I held both of them.
I would never do this intentionally but it made me think nudging the carpets would be OK. I was wrong. Hopefully they get back to business after my rude interuption. I've learned my lesson and wanted to pass on my ignorance so others will not be as stupid!

[morph]

Well hopefully it didn't do any damage but a quick seperation if in fact the hemipene was inserted and the female yanked away it can cause some damage and end his breeding season if damaged enough, definitely not always the case though. If he happened too "pull-out" quickly it may not have been damaged. These 2 have copulated for you a few times this year I believe, just wait and see perhaps they were just camera shy this evening and will get back together for ya. Your advice is correct though it's best too try and leave them as much as possible this time of year, but nearly imposssible for me anyway I just can't help checkin out whats goin on. LOL! I guess I am a voyeur.


Good luck man
Scott

[Zoe]

That happened to me once last year with no problems, she still laid a big clutch of fertile eggs. I wouldn't worry; he'll keep at it till the job is done.

Zoe

[morph]

The worry wouldn't be with the female Zoe it would be the male, if he is damaged he may not be able too breed again till next season. This is probably not the case but a definite possibility if you really disrupt copulation. So there is a chance he may not be able too "keep at it till the job is done". Like Jaremy more or less said to eveyone else it's ok too look just don't get involved. :D

Scott

[Zoe]

It is, of course, better not to poke at them, but I doubt that any dammage was inflicting by interrupting him so he withdrew. If they were torn apart then perhaps, but if they he was simply distracted I don't see how that could cause him any injury... unless the separation was "violent".

Zoe

[Zoe]

Oh, and by pointing out that my female laid eggs, I merely meant to imply that the male succesfully mated with her again (obviously - or she'd have produced nothing.)

[JDouglas]

Ya, I realize moving them or pulling them apart could cause some major damage to the male. I lightly touched the male with a hook and he slowly moved. I reached for my camera and they slowly seperated. I'm sure no damage was done, but I will not interupt them again.