Magnificent Mandarina Moments

[Lexcorn]

Yup,

The Day has, finally, arrived.

This is my longest project to date.

We have owned this male now for almost 11 years & whilst we enjoyed the pleasure of simply watching him mature it did take quite some time to consider a breeding plan......& then, of course, to obtain a suitable single female!

Male Mandarina Rat Snake - doh: July 1997:



Female Mandarina Rat Snake - doh: August 2002:



Lex

[Lexcorn]

Female displaying a suitable 'mood' pose...........on top of her 'lay' box:



She refused all food post pre-lay slough, my fingers were crossed.....big time!

Lex

[Lexcorn]

A species that produce (as I am reliably informed) around 3 - 4 eggs in the clutch.

She threw out an infertile egg 2 days post pre-lay slough.

So, by my calculations I was looking at maybe 2 - 3 eggs.

No wonder this species retains its rare status!

Lex

[Lexcorn]

Oh Joy:



She has performed magnificently.

Lex

[Layla]

WOW all the tantrums she has thrown and time has been worth it Lex....last time I spoke to you she had just one eggy! And now so many! Best get that keeper shelf ready huh? Good luck with this wonderful species.

[Lexcorn]

Original post by Layla
Best get that keeper shelf ready huh? Good luck with this wonderful species.

Ya,

You know me so well.

Ha, I left the house for quite a number of hours in order to avoid disturbing her (&, indeed, it prevented me from constantly checking on the egg situation)!

So very pleased with the results, there are 2 pairs 'on hold' already, & I have no idea of the gender ratio.........may not have the chance to over fill the 'Keeper' shelf.

Lex

[pcar]

Beautiful snake Lex, and congrats on the eggs. I was turned on to these beauties by Galen and have loved the colors and patters ever since. I am thinking that maybe in the next 2 years or so I may start looking into getting at least one pair.

Great pictures and good luck with the eggs. Can't wait to see hatchling pictures.

[Layla]

Originally Posted by Lexcorn

Ya,

You know me so well.

Ha, I left the house for quite a number of hours in order to avoid disturbing her (&, indeed, it prevented me from constantly checking on the egg situation)!

So very pleased with the results, there are 2 pairs 'on hold' already, & I have no idea of the gender ratio.........may not have the chance to over fill the 'Keeper' shelf.

Lex

Im sure you'll find a couple for that shelf Cant wait to see babies....is the incubation time the same?

[Lexcorn]

Original post by pcar
Beautiful snake Lex, and congrats on the eggs. I was turned on to these beauties by Galen and have loved the colors and patters ever since. I am thinking that maybe in the next 2 years or so I may start looking into getting at least one pair.

Great pictures and good luck with the eggs. Can't wait to see hatchling pictures.

Cheers Paul,

Ya, these guys were on our 'Wish List' way back in '95.

We were very honoured to have obtained our male in '97 & had no intentions of breeding the species.

Geez, judging from the tales of how all the Wild Caught were 'gathered' & then sold without certain parts of their internal organs...........not a good situation

However, just owning this animal for many years & feeling rather competent......we decided an appropriate partner would be good, just in case we maybe COULD consider a breeding.

Cannot believe that we have eggs, even now!

Good luck with your own pair (future fun).

Cheers. Lex

[Lexcorn]

Original post by Layla
Im sure you'll find a couple for that shelf Cant wait to see babies....is the incubation time the same?

Yup,

I sure will find plenty of space for some KEEPERS

Lex