breeding ?

[mastiffguy101]

so i have had this female locking up with a male for about a month but she is still eating and it seems she is bulging do females always stop eating?

[Donnie_K]

not always, just usually. If you think she might be gravid and still eating, better to feed her smaller food items for a few weeks.

[mastiffguy101]

she has only ate once and it was only like a 3week old rat so it was really small for her thanks for the help Donnie

[Donnie_K]

np, the swelling could've just been ovulation too and may be the best time for her to get knocked up, lol

[SBPs]

This time of year it is best to feed smaller more frequent meals if they will eat at all.  You will know if was ovulation because she will start laying in a tight coil and dig a nest in the substrate andgo into a shed very soon (mark the date she sheds). Roughly 30 days later you will see eggs.


If she is bowl wrapping or still stretched out on the cool side or warm side of the tub, she is not there yet.   If that is the case, she is just building up those follicles for the big O later. Keep breeding the male to her.

Can you palpate for follicles?

[mastiffguy101]

This time of year it is best to feed smaller more frequent meals if they will eat at all.  You will know if was ovulation because she will start laying in a tight coil and dig a nest in the substrate andgo into a shed very soon (mark the date she sheds). Roughly 30 days later you will see eggs.


If she is bowl wrapping or still stretched out on the cool side or warm side of the tub, she is not there yet.   If that is the case, she is just building up those follicles for the big O later. Keep breeding the male to her.

Can you palpate for follicles?

no i don't know how it is just weird cause she is swelling but i put the male back in after a few days of rest and no more lock ups they practically stay away from each other, when i put him in with my other female who just changed colors lol  he is on it before i can even close the bin lol? so i guess its got me a little confused

[SBPs]

They will go through periods of massing breeding to once in a blue moon.

Dont let that fool you.  

If the female is receptive she will let the male breed year round 'when she wants it.'

Pairs will breed well for weeks than all of sudden look at each other like total strangers. Keep them apart for a while.  Then when a big weather front moves through your area, put him back in with her and see if that doesnt stimulate some breeding.  

When breeding it only takes once or twice a month to get a good lock up.  The sperm will stay viable in the female for a long time.  They dont need to lock up all the time to be successful.  It only makes us feel better to see it more often.  

What is her current behaviour?

Laying postion (coiled in a behive or kinda relaxed near the heat or cold side or wrapping the bowl)

Swelling is part of the normal "building" of follicles.  If it only last for a day or two, then it very well could be the big "O".  But if she is still looking bigger after a few days, she is probably just building them up.  Which is another good sign.  Means your on you way if all go wells.

[mastiffguy101]

she switches mood some days she is sprawled out on the heat and the last 2 days she has been on the cool side kinda lay ed out  she never goes around her bowl but it is not round its square and big so i don't see her trying to wrap it up. i have seen good lock ups on numerous occasions before they just stopped and she is plump lol but i don't think she is big enough to be considered gravid i just don't know confussed lol