Breeding of Boas

Breeding of reptiles I find interesting, considering that is where Princess came from was from a breeder or a Herpetoculturist. An Herpetocultrist is one who keeps reptiles and/ or amphibians in captivity, sometimes(but not exclusively) for the purpose of breeding. This is in contrast to herpetologists,who are engaged in the scientific study of reptiles and/ or amphibians. Some herpetoculturists also practice Snake-holding besides herpetoculturism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpetoculturist). Captive breeding of reptiles is very intense and having knowledge of it is very important to succeed. Researching online for captive breeding of Red Tail Boas, I came across The Boa Page(http://www.kingsnake.com/boapage/caresheets/boaconstrictorcare.html). In it gives a brief description of breeding and I'll go over just few high points of it. Male and female boas are to be kept in separate enclosures till mating occurs. Female boas are put on a breeding schedule where as their feeding intake should increase, so that the female is slightly overweight. A gravid Boa may not eat for up to 9 months so adequate reserves of body fat are essential.(http://www.kingsnake.com/boapage/caresheets/boaconstrictorcare.html) A temperature cycling should begin mid October where as to regulate temperatures in the enclosures for breeding purposes. Mating should take place from 3rd week in December to February. Boas give birth to live young, and litter sizes vary from 6-65, the young are independent from birth and should be separated from the mother as soon as possible, Boas are not usually cannibalistic, but the young can be crushed by the bulk of the female (http://www.knigsnake.com/boapage/caresheets/boaconstrictorcare.html). Being an owner of a boa, I did not know the involvement of the breeding process and the time it takes, yet I am grateful to those out there that have the patience to do this, so that I may have Princess as my pet.