Just general breeding stuff

[msubigdawg]

I was wondering about breeding boas one day. I was wondering what information people could give me on it. Maybe on how hard it is or how profitable it may be. Also on what to do and how to get them to breed. Just general stuff like that.

[Mishkam]

Hiya. I hope to move into breeding some boas before long as well. I have gathered up what information I can online, but Im not 100% on what I have gathered.

Anyone who has had success in breeding please let me know if I am on track or not please!

OK here goes.... from hours spent online reading anything I can find about breeding boats, here is what I "think" I have learned....

Size is more important than age for a female breeder. The smaller the size, the smaller the clutch and less chance of fertility.

Once you have a female of decent size, two months prior to breeding you should drop the "hot side" temp from around 90-95 daytime to 80-85 daytime and the nighttime to the high 70s. at the same time shortening the "daylight" hours by about an hour to an hour and a half/day.

While doing this... back the feeding schedule off to every other week as opposed to everyweek, then introduce a male. A week on a couple days off (to give them a rest period) do this for a month or two... then look for a drastic swelling slightly further back than a food swell would occur. (ovulation)

After it looks like your female has suddenly swallowed a football...:) remove the male and stop feeding. Set the cage temp at low 80s and keep it constant. Look for a post ovulation shed, then start the countdown. approx 120 days and hope.

so.... am I close??

[mykee]

I would suggest purchasing a book (or three) on breeding boas. These are available online or at any of the 'big box' pet stores as well as the smaller ones. I would also recommend going online and searching the topic you wish to know about, reading and absorbing all you can and THEN coming back and asking specific questions. Good luck.

[BoidKeeper]

My advice, buy a copy of the Boa Constrictor Manual.
Cheers,
Trevor