Combatting males

[Zoe]

I was looking into buying or borrowing another IJCP male to combat with mine before breeding, and was told that ANY type of carpet python will due to combat. Is that true? Also, would it be too dangerous to put a big fat 5-6ft coastal in with a 4ft IJ to combat?

Thanks!
Zoe

[Jeff_Favelle]

Only a couple of dangers are involved:

1) The new male you use is sick or has parasites.
2) You have a big water dish (which you shouldn't for carpets anyways) and the bigger one can drown the other one.


Just be on hand to observe anything drastic. They don't need to fight for a month straight. A couple of hours here and there is usually enough for an entire season.

[Zoe]

Thanks Jeff! The water dish is just big enough for my 4ft boy to soak in... though he never does. The coastal I would be using is clean.
I was told to leave them together for no more than 2 or 3 minutes... should I put them together longer? And then do I put the IJ right with the female? Or do I combat them every other day for a week or two and then put him with the female? And do I put the female in HIS tank or vice versa?

Thanks!
Zoe

[Jeff_Favelle]

No one can say how long to put them together for. Its all about the circumstances. I mean, if your male is hiding, and the new male just perches on the branch and goes to sleep, then 2 whole days together means nothing. Quality, NOT quantity!

It all about the quality of the combat. You want your male to realize that other males are around to pair off with females. But you don't want him to get beat up so bad that he realizes that he shouldn't be breeding because he is so inferior. Not quite how it works, but it simplifies things. Basically, you just want to get his juices flowing without any harm coming to him. That's why an hour or so of good combat is more than enough. If they go at it right away, then 5 minutes is probably enough.

Male goes into the female's tank.

And yes, put him with the female right away. Make hay while the sun shines........

[Zoe]

lol, great, thanks!

What time of day? Morning, day, evening, night?

Thanks
Zoe

[Jeff_Favelle]

If you're asking what time of day you should combat, I'll answer your question with another question.


You do know that most snakes breed at night (or from dusk on.....), and I just told you that an hour of good combat is enough right? Sooooo....what does that tell you?


:D

[Zoe]

So... early evening?
I do hope I got that right!! :D

Thanks for all your help Jeff!

[Jeff_Favelle]

Yep.


Its early now, and I wouldn't combat males until after at least 2-4 weeks of cycling.

Also, don't mist them yet. Hold off as long as possible. Misting is great, but too early can mess around with the breeding plans.

[Zoe]

I started cooling them 3 weeks ago

[Jeff_Favelle]

Combat away!!




Well, actually, maybe not. If the female is in a shed, then maybe combatting right now is not smart. Also, routine combats may be even more successful. Maybe combatting the males several times for 2 weeks and THEN introducing the male to the female would be more successful? Try it. They are YOUR animals and you know them best. Remember that all snakes (especially Carpets) are individuals and what what works for one, may not work for another. That's the beauty of us having eyes. We have the power to observe!

But if you want my opinion without ever having seen or touched your animals, I would combat the males a couple of times and then introduce your male to the female within the next 2 weeks, provided she's NOT in a shed. Repeat for a couple of months until you witness ovulation.

The female can still be fed provided your day time highs are getting to 85F +.

Good luck Zoe.

:D

[sSNAKESs.com]

In the words of a wise man... "We dont breed our animals, we read them" . lol just some food for thought :P

[Jeff_Favelle]

Exactly.

[Lisa]

Do the carpets have to combat in order to breed? or does it just increase the chances?

[Jeff_Favelle]

Its just a tool to increase successful matings. Much like misting, proper feeding, cycling, timely introductions, actually having a sexually mature pair, etc etc etc.

[JIMI]

Lots of great info Jeff. reminded me of what these forums are all about. kudos.

[Jeff_Favelle]

I agree JIMI! We sometimes stray and argue about pointless things, but when it comes down to it, information about how not to kill our animals as well as proper husbandry is what this site is all about!!

Thanks man!