African House Snakes

[lolaophidia]

I got a pair of African House Snakes and surprise, the female laid 17 eggs a month after arriving. So I was a little unprepared but did manage to get a nest tub with moist spagnum in the cage before she burst. A couple of questions...

1. What is the lowest incubating temp you've had success with?
(mine are incubating at high room temp 73-78F due to lack of prep for an incubator and not wanting to risk changing temps once they started developing)
2. Will the male ever eat if housed with the female full time? I know he's got his mind on other things... I've had them together for a couple months and separate them to feed, but the male's appetite is non-existant.

I'll be better prepared for any hatchlings that come out of this in 60-80 days, promise! Suggestions??
Thanks,
Lora

[Vanan]

It may be better if the lower end of ur temp range was 75F.

[Jayson]

I only put the male with the female for breeding. the reason being, as long as the male and female are together the female will continually lay eggs every 60 to70 days untill she wears out dies.
As far as the male not eating goes. he will probably start to eat shortly after he has been removed from the females cage. I had a male go as long as 4 months with out eating and showed no weight loss, the male started eating after breeding and he was removed from the females tank.

hope this helps Jason

[Vanan]

Good luck with them!

[lolaophidia]

Jason,
Thanks for the response. I was afraid that keeping them together long term would be detrimental to their health but hadn't wanted to separate them till I had a couple clutches. I'll move the male to a separate tank as soon as I get the second clutch and give them both a break.
Thanks,
Lora