Living Gems Breeding Update, Part 2

[Snakesitter]

This month Living Gems gives a mid-season update on its breeding progress. We have four pairs and one trio this season, for a total of six possible litters. We are covering two females each week over three weeks; this is the second post in the series.


Franklin-Agate
Third up is the Franklin-Agate pair. The male came to me with an unknown age date, and had sired litters before. The female was born in 2008, and has not had a litter before. The female weighed 2290 grams at the start of the season.

Early Courting (December)


Progress so far is as follows:

1116 Introductions
1219 Strong courting behavior from the male – following her, rubbing his head on her, etc.
0118 More courting
0208 More courting, lasts six days
0406 More courting
0425 Sperm plugs in water bowl
0429 Sperm plugs in water bowl, again
0508 Shared hide, male on top of female…but unsure if breeding

Sperm Plugs (April)


Corner Refuge (April)


Recently, Agate has been huddled in a corner by herself -- but on the cool side. Her weight is 2233 grams, which is a slight loss (less than three percent). She is still feeding. On the flip side, Franklin, a proven breeder who did show intense interest in her, is now completely ignoring her. Status: uncertain.


Picasso-Malachite
Fourth up is the Picasso-Malachite pair. The male came to me with an unknown age date, and had sired litters before. The female was born in 2008, and has not had a litter before. The female weighed 2458 grams at the start of the season.

Lock! (February)


Progress so far is as follows:

1218 Introductions (late, to bulk him up)
1218 Urate trail
0112 First shared hide, contact unclear
0215 Shared water, clear tail wrap
0216 Shared water, probable wrap
0227 Was going to separate for feeding, but noticed tail wrap in progress when opened viv…separation delayed
0318 Malachite begins lying on heat
0320 Malachite stops lying on heat
0421 Malachite begins lying on heat again
0517 Malachite wedges herself in odd position directly on the heat

Hugging The Heat (April)


As of now, Malachite has been on the heat for about a month, and recently upped the ante with odd positions. Her weight is 2450, roughly flat. She is, however, still feeding. Status: very likely gravid.


We will pick up next week with pairs five and six.

Thank you for reading,

[marvelfreak]

Best of luck. Hope we get to see pictures of a bunch of beautiful Babies soon.

[sweatshirt]

Gorgeous snakes.. good luck xD

[Dave Kelley]

Very nice rainbow pairings! Agate has a beautiful appearace, so I hope she drops a healty litter for ya.

[Concept9]

Awesome pic as normal Snakesitter and all the best but I have to ask WHY I never get my two snakes from your litters ?

[Snakesitter]

Thank you all! My fingers are and will stay crossed!

LOL Roy. No babies last year is probably part of the reason. ;-) Keep those fingers for us, and then we'll have more than enough!

[Concept9]

Originally Posted by Snakesitter

Thank you all! My fingers are and will stay crossed!

LOL Roy. No babies last year is probably part of the reason. ;-) Keep those fingers for us, and then we'll have more than enough!

Crosses fingers, Crosses fingers, Crosses fingers, Crosses fingers,

[Snakesitter]

Thank you Roy -- we can use all four of those!!!