What behaviours to expect?

Sorry like I said before I have to replace the Cornsnake Manual...

Anyways...what type of behaviors can I expect when a female and male are ready....and when they are not ready? I figured it would be easy to tell but by my first introduction it was odd...the male did his part (or so what I understand is his part) and was twitching and checking her out. Not twitching his tail but his entire body very slightly. He was brumated (bought him recently, was in brumation until he was sold to me basically)

But She (not brumated as i have no suitable place) that devil...wow she wanted to look around the area and when she met up with him she seemed agitated and rattled her tail in the same manner they do when they are eating and want you away or what not. you all know what I mean. When i didnt remove her right away she ended up "whipping" away from him making quite the noise. But then faster then I could remove her, she was calm again....I did remove her though and they aren't being left together.

Now I am confused....does this mean A. she is not ready or B. she could be wanting to mate with HIM and she is a he? or C. she just needs more time. I am confused as to the certain things to look for in the act.

thanks
bmm

Females that aren't quite ready will act that way. I keep them together over-night anyway because, occasionally, she just needs to be courted a while longer. I keep re-introducing the pair every 2-3 days until I have either actually witnessed the mating or I see obvious yellow "spooge" which results from a mating. Very rarely, but not unheard of, a female will simply reject a certain male and refuse to mate, ready or not. Trying a different male will often lead to success in those cases.

thanks

Susan I will try that in the next days when I put them together again. I have been putting the pair together since late January, one or two days after each feeding.

bmm

I guess snakes are a lot like people. Some girls will and some won't, depending on the mood. And just as with people, most guys are ALWAYS ready and willing. The trick is to get the female into the mood. Sometimes all it takes is time. Other times, you can make a difference by spraying them both with water, kind of reproducing the spring rain effect. I have also heard people claim success by using ozone generators, saying that the ozone sparks an interest because of the ozone normally generated during thunder storms. I guess a lot of people have pet theories and techniques.

But every year I will have one or two females that just decide to take the year off and WILL NOT breed with any male I offer to them. On the other hand, there are some females that will mate absolutely any time, and with any male I offer to them.

They are all individuals and you have to treat them like that. But make note of what you did this year to get them to breed so you remember for next year. You will probably find that you can almost mark the calendar by them once you know their cycles.

Good luck!