New to breeding - How many mating attempts?

[Asrelius]

Hi all,

I've kept corns for the last 6 years and decided I would try to breed my creamsicles.

I have followed the advice in Kathy Love's book.

They paired up instantly, the male was very keen and stayed together for around 20 minutes or so. I couldn't see any evidence of semen.

I paired them again 3 days later (as per the book) and the female was unwilling at first but the male, still very keen, refused to give up and they again stayed together perhaps around 25 minutes and there is indeed evidence of the greenish/yellowish semen on the substrate.

My question is, is this enough now or must I pair them again?

 

[smallet]

One can be enough. Most pair them at least three times, some go for 5 or more. It is a personal thing I think.

 

[cornsnakeforsale_com]

2 successes should do it, but putting them together more can lead to a higher fertility rate.

 

[K. Rene]

I bred both my females to males 3 times successfully they laid 14 and 16 fertile eggs which are now incubating good luck!

 

[multicorn]

I mate all mine 3 times..... The last to lay had 27 good eggs no slugs...
I just really hope it's not retained semen...!!!!!!

 

[airenlow]

I try for at least 3. Some of my pairs have hooked-up 6 times now...

 

[Asrelius]

Thanks for the quick responses

I'll pair them a 3rd time and leave it at that.

 

[Asrelius]

Update:

She laid a rather small clutch of 7 eggs today. 48 days after the first mating.

 

[Asrelius]

Actually, got up this morning to find a further 8 eggs

 

[MysticExotics]

Congrats on the eggs! Now the fun begins...waiting

 

[Asrelius]

Thanks

I am a little concerned about the temp though. I had a thermometer placed in the moss of the egg container showing a reading of 33. According to Kathy Love's book (my only reference) 33.3 is potentially fatal. I have now got it down to 29.

The first batch would have been overnight in 33 whereas the second only a few hours. Are they likely to have been killed at 33? If they are dead what will they look like?

 

[bitsy]

There's a good chance both clutches will have been cooked at that temp (92F) for that length of time. If so, they'll gradually collapse and go bad over a few days/weeks.

Keep incubating though, just in case. I never throw an egg away until it's collapsed completely flat and is so mouldy that it's unrecognisable.

I usually aim for around 29C (84F) inside the egg container, to give wiggle room for small fluctuations caused by my on/off thermostat. Cooler temps are safer - eggs will just take longer to incubate. It's the higher temps that kill.

 

[rich333]

wow..missed this thread...congrats on the eggs! And yeah, they may have been cooked...but keep'em incubating. what was the pairing again?? nevermind...found it...

 

[Asrelius]

I feel terrible, I hope they're OK, just checked the first lot laid on Friday 27th. They seem as they were when I placed them in there. I'll keep you all posted, thanks for the responses.

 

[Asrelius]

Update:

Well, I have continued to check the eggs and today is 1 week since they were laid. I enclose a picture. They seem fine to me. Would damage due to excessive heat have changed their appearence by now?

 

[bitsy]

They look absolutely fine to me. Fingers crossed - it seems very hopeful.

 

[deedee]

Ooh! I hope they're ok. I'm keeping everything crossed for you.

 

[Asrelius]

Once again, thanks for the quick responses, they're a great help/comfort.

One other question (for now!), Tia has not left her egg-laying box since she went in there 7 days ago. I have been checking her everyday and continue to spray the box. She has refused food and did so during her gestation too. When is she likely to come out?

 

[Asrelius]

Well guys despite problems with the temperature at the begining of incubation (33 degrees) 13 of the 15 eggs have hatched! They did so over a period of a week and were also 1 week early, the first hatching on day 52. Thanks all for the advice and support given.

 

[Christen]

Very pretty baby. Congrats!!