Love is in the air!

Will0W783 · 03-07-10, 06:35 PM

I just got a new arboreal caging setup. It's a massive glass and tile and aluminum cage: 6.5' tall x 4.5' wide x 2.5' deep inside dimensions. I divided it down the middle with Plexiglas and put 5 scorched PVC perches on either side along with hanging plastic plants and vines. I put my GTP pair on one side and my ETB on the other.
I was a bit concerned at first because the male GTP seemed scared and peeved. But when I woke up this morning......

They didn't waste any time. The female is 4.5 years old and 1800g and the male is 7 years old and proven breeder. I am hoping they continue on their lovin' streak and give me some bright little wormies this year. We will see. It's a bit late in the season- honestly I didn't expect it this year, but the new caging can comfortably house them all with far more room than they had in their original separate cages.

Hillsberry · 03-07-10, 07:03 PM

Awwwwww!! Good luck!!! :P

Will0W783 · 03-07-10, 08:25 PM

I am sooo excited- I want to tell everyone..lol.

Rham_Es-Hestos · 03-07-10, 09:13 PM

I feel left out. I could have heard about this before now.

Thanks. 'friend'

Jes kiddin.

Hope you get a nice clutch out of this.

**Aaron_S** · 03-07-10, 09:15 PM

That's pretty cool but did you witness any actual copulation? I can't see if there is from the pic. Best of luck to you!

emseeKAY · 03-07-10, 09:26 PM

ouuuu

very nice! good luck!

siz · 03-07-10, 09:57 PM

Cool, good luck with them

You should post a picture of the setup(s).

infernalis · 03-07-10, 10:37 PM

awe "Snake Porn"

Will0W783 · 03-08-10, 09:04 AM

Thanks for all the kind words guys! I am so incredibly excited about this. I thought it was too late in the season for them, but apparently not. Yes I did witness actual copulation. I couldn't get a better picture with my lousy phone camera, but I did see the hemipene inserted, and he was stroking her with his spurs and moving up and down a bit. They separated about noon, and last night he was chasing her around again and they seemed locked up again this morning. They had their tails wrapped together but this time I couldn't see the insertion- they had to hide it from me...grrr. The male, Archimedes, does this really neat throat puffing when he's chasing Mystique around the cage and he rubs his head all over her. I've never seen actual snake courting behavior, so it's a really neat experience for me so far. I'm watching them like a hawk, and keeping a little journal.
Their new cage has much much better thermal gradients in it so she should be able to move around and bask comfortably should she begin to show signs of being gravid. If she looks to be ovulating and is noticeably fatter, I will remove her and put her in a separate cage so he doesn't keep tormenting her. As soon as my other female comes out of quarantine (just got her Monday- see Sunset thread) I will let her in there for Archimedes to have his way with too...lol. He's a randy little fellow.

marvelfreak · 03-08-10, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siz

Cool, good luck with them

You should post a picture of the setup(s).

Best of luck and I got my fingers cross for you. Some pics of your set would be cool. Pleassssse! Don't make us beg. LOL

Will0W783 · 03-08-10, 04:07 PM

Lol. I will try to get some pictures tonight. It's just ticking me off that the door on one side is all fogged up. We spent forever working on it and apparently it's double-paned glass that someone let moisture into and it's fogged between the panes but sealed so we can't get into it. I will have to buy a new door so I can properly view my pretty ETBs. But the GTP side is clear so I will get shots of them tonight. They will probably be doing it again, the horny little devils...hehehehe.

shaunyboy · 03-09-10, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

awe "Snake Porn"

put on a barry white album,then it will be snake love.i hope the happy couple have some mini me's soon willow.

Will0W783 · 03-09-10, 08:53 AM

I do too! Mystique was coiled very tightly this morning, and Archimedes was rubbing all over her, trying to get her to accept him again. You could almost imagine her saying, "Go...away...tired....no...more...." lol
I've caught two definite locks and 3 other times when he was trying. Since I don't have a video camera, I have no idea what they do when I'm asleep, but I know they have to be locked for a good several hours for him to deposit sperm. Hopefully over the next few weeks they will breed more and it will take. If not, there is always next year. At the very least, I know they will breed.

Will0W783 · 04-12-10, 07:56 AM

Well, this has been an awful weekend. Mystique, the female, was definitely gravid, but she had complications. Friday morning I found her limp in her water dish and rushed her to my vet. He said she had dumped too much into making the eggs and gave her calcium and fluid injections. She was to go back this evening, but she passed away last night. Poor thing, I wish I hadn't tried to breed her, but she was 4 years old and plump and 1100g and in all outward appearances in prime condition. I will miss her, sweet girl, and chalk this up to one of those things that just happens.

Lankyrob · 04-12-10, 08:01 AM

So so so sorry for your loss Willow, the worse thing about keeping any pets is when they are no longer with us. We lost a cat this weekend that we had for about 8 years after rescuing it and it does hit hard when it happens.

At the end of the day she had a wonderful keeper and a lovely life with you - hope you are well.