jungle carpet python breeding time line

[Jay]

just wondering if i could get a rough time line of what to expect my male was locked up whith her for an hour about three time now they are on opposite sides of the tank how long till i may see some eggs for my carpet and when will they hatch what should i set my incubator at thanks

[pythonman]

Originally Posted by jay0133

just wondering if i could get a rough time line of what to expect my male was locked up whith her for an hour about three time now they are on opposite sides of the tank how long till i may see some eggs for my carpet and when will they hatch what should i set my incubator at thanks

Hi jay0133, accorrding to my old notes on my breeding of this species(i last maintianed this species nearly 10 year ago) breeding took place in our winter months, my animals were cycled givern night time temps as low as 20C and daytime of 28C. This seemed to prompt a breeding response, for me this species appeared an eager breeder. The cooling lasted for 3 month and no food was offered. After cooling and with temps returned to summer temps of 30C hot spot and night time low 26-28C and males still givern contact with females, the females would ovulate and males no longer introduced. It takes about 38-45 days from ovulation to the female producing eggs, with 21-26 days between pre lay shed and laying. Mine were incubated at a temp of 29C-32C and hatched at 57-62 days with the young in no rush to emerge. In one of my clutches the clutch hatched over a five day period, with 1 youngster staying with in the egg(which had numerous splits) for 9 days suffering no harm. Incubating the eggs in a 1:1 mix of water and medium grade vemiculite( i alway err on a drier mix and do it by feel rather than an exact science) worked for me. So assumeing your snake is gravid you could expect eggs in 70-80 days, a better guide is going from a observed ovulation which gives you 40-50 days, and a futher incubation time of 55-60 days. Hope this is of interest to you. By the way the females will be very hungry careful when feeding.

[shaunyboy]

bumping this up as .....

[Jay]

should i feed her while she is gravid?

[pythonman]

Originally Posted by jay0133

should i feed her while she is gravid?

Mine never fed when gravid, as with most pythons, another good indicator of her condition, i used to offer small meals only up until ovulation, seems their minds on other things. I should add mine were well conditioned before the breeding season, so i was only concentrating on breeding and they were disturbed as little as often,as no food meant very little cleaning out. Water was provided always(fresh) twice a week.The females would drink often.

[Jay]

Originally Posted by pythonman

Mine never fed when gravid, as with most pythons, another good indicator of her condition, i used to offer small meals only up until ovulation, seems their minds on other things. I should add mine were well conditioned before the breeding season, so i was only concentrating on breeding and they were disturbed as little as often,as no food meant very little cleaning out. Water was provided always(fresh) twice a week.The females would drink often.

thanks i have had her cooling for 2 months ive introduced the male a couple time and she looking fatter ? i havnot fet he in 4 weeks

[shaunyboy]

did you give your snakes a 3 month cooling cycle with no feeding before breeding ?

usually you feed the female heavily over late spring,summer and early autumn seasons to put on the bulk necessary for the rigours of egg production,mating and egg laying.

males do not need fed as much to maintain good wieght and size

also the males dont have to carry the eggs etc

a gravid female will look for a suitable nest site around the time of her pre lay shed.

pre lay shed takes place usually 20 to 40 days before the eggs are layed

you will have to provide a nest box for her lined with dry sphagnum moss and shredded newspaper

pythonman has a lot more experience in these matters than i do im sure he will fill in anything i've missed mate


edited because it took me that long to write this pythonman had already answered
cheers shaun

[pythonman]

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

did you give your snakes a 3 month cooling cycle with no feeding before breeding ?

usually you feed the female heavily over late spring,summer and early autumn seasons to put on the bulk necessary for the rigours of egg production,mating and egg laying.

males do not need fed as much to maintain good wieght and size

also the males dont have to carry the eggs etc

a gravid female will look for a suitable nest site around the time of her pre lay shed.

pre lay shed takes place usually 20 to 40 days before the eggs are layed

you will have to provide a nest box for her lined with dry sphagnum moss and shredded newspaper





cheers shaun

Perfect answer Shaun, i do not know any more than you or anyone else on this forum, the more information from others yourself included makes this such a good forum, the fact that knowledge flows freely and is shared should be of help to anyone needs it.