Malpolon monspessulanus ssp.

Box is in place. She shed a couple of days ago and should be ready to lay eggs very soon.

I will keep this post up to speed as soon as eggs have arrived Very Happy

Regards
Daniel

Some bad news.

The female laid 8 infertile eggs/sluggs Sad

I hope for more luck next year.

Regards
Daniel

ahh sorry to hear Sad

better luck next year
never give up

Hello Daniel,

that´s a pity, sorry to hear that.

Do you have any hint for a reason for getting a better result next year?

Best regards,
Rainer

@Rainer: To be honest i don't have a clue why the outcome was like it was. Thoughts have been on if i cycle them right, if the microhabitat i provide is right.

I'm stuck on the thought that something in the environment i provide is not optimal. I don't think it is a "energy" related problem as the female had big fat depots stored and had feed very good since she came in my possession.

It can be that i took them out of hibernation to early and need to cycle them longer next year ?

Other than that i'm clueless Question

Regards
Daniel

Very sad to hear!

Hello Daniel,

how long did you hibernate them and at what temperature?
The female must have had enough fat stored, otherwise she would not have produced these eggs.

Cheers,
Rainer

@Rainer:
I hibernated them from first of December to last day in February, so around 90 days (3 months). Temperature was pending between 5-9 degree celsius depending on how cold it was outside that particular day.

Regards
Daniel

Hello Daniel,

the temp. surely was deep enough, they will rarely have such low temp during hibernation in nature. The duration seems short though I would not say that IS the reason.
I used to hibernate mine at 8-12° for 4 - 4 1/2 months and they bred normally.

Good luck for next time,
Rainer

don't get disapponted.

mind that there is a chance in getting a second clutch this season.you never know......

Rainer Fesser wrote:: Hello Daniel,

the temp. surely was deep enough, they will rarely have such low temp during hibernation in nature. The duration seems short though I would not say that IS the reason.
I used to hibernate mine at 8-12° for 4 - 4 1/2 months and they bred normally.

Good luck for next time,
Rainer

Rainer is wright, and i have even successfull reproductions with short hivernation (8 weeks) and within 10/15°c.As i write it former, tmalpolon does not hesitate to get out their hidding during winter, even with 11°C outside...but sunny day of course.And now we have some warmer winter (here in the south), even timon lepidus get out when sun is here! In fact they hibernate from end of november to beginning of febuary and do not hesitate to get out sunning themselfs when the weather permit.Of course they only bask, and do not feed.

A second clutch is more unlikely than other sp of snake, their (malpolon) breeding pattern is linked with spring, and only spring wich is a rare pattern with paleartic colubrid.It means you can only find sperm during this time of year.
Maybe they are to young....
R.

Thanks all.

I will make some adjustments regarding hibernation for next year and hope for the best.

Regards
Daniel

Hibernation just ended, i hope for more luck this year.

For this season they are getting a new enclosure as i thought they old one had been outgrown. Old enclosure measured 150x65x65cm and their new one measures 200x80x80cm.
I was building the new enclosure while they where in hibernation and now it is ready for the snakes to move in.

I think it looks quite good and even better then their last enclosure

Malpolon monspessulanus ssp. - Page 2 6962361325_fa41d3885d_b

Malpolon monspessulanus ssp. - Page 2 6962361325_fa41d3885d_b

Malpolon monspessulanus ssp. - Page 2 6816243370_73b0c964f6_b

Regards
Daniel

It´s very beautiful. My fingers are crossed for your breeding this year

Awesome cage...really impressive, good work !

Hello Daniel,

that looks really good.
I wish you much luck and many healthy babies from this pair (and your other snakes too of course),
Rainer

@Tanja: Thanks.

@Andre: Thank you, it took almost 2,5 months to get it close to somewhat that i had in my mind.

@Rainer: Thanks.

Regards
Daniel

beautifull animals!! love them!!

If only I had the space.....

It's really great! Hope this will be the right atmosphere for them to produce many eggs Very Happy

These pictures make me jealous and feeling unhappy about the size of my tanks. My kids will only fly out in about 10 or 15 years. Embarassed

Good luck with your Malpolon, Christian

Christian: Thanks. I am pretty happy about how this enclosure turned out.

Regards
Daniel

Hello Daniel

Have you become aware of any mating activity till now?

Regards, Christian

Hi !

I have seen the male courting the female but now actual mating.

I hope for the best.

Regards
Daniel

I've never seen the mating act itself because they are too shy and I didn't want to disturb them. But when they are lying together all the time then things should be allright. I wish you good luck and please send some new pics of your giant tank, preferably with the snakes in. Very Happy

Actually I have 14 eggs and I think the female that laid eggs first will lay it's second clutch this night. It's constantly saerching and digging around.

Regards, Christian

Thanks for those kind words Christian.

Send me an e-mail and i will provide you with some pictures. I hope your eggs hatch and you get some more. What's the origin of yours ?

Regards
Daniel

They are from Egypt and one male of "unknown" origin; De Haan thinks, it's from southeastern Europe.

The third couple should be of French origin. But they are very shy and till now no mating activity could be observed...

My email ist schaich@bluewin.ch

Thanks in advance for the pics.

Kind regards, Christian

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