When to separate out gravid females?

[d_virginiana]

I'm pretty sure my first attempt at getting my garters to mate was successful. You can't really tell for sure yet, but the male went from being completely interested in the female to not caring at all pretty quickly, so my guess is she's gravid.

Anyway, my question is when should I separate her out and start keeping her away from the male? They seem fine together for right now, but I imagine the male should be removed before the babies arrive. Just wondering if there was a specific point when it would benefit the female to be alone.

[guidofatherof5]

I'd leave the male in for a few more weeks to a month. Just because you saw a lock up doesn't mean he scored a bulls-eye. They might lock up again and they're certainly isn't much risk by having them together. Just my opinion.

[Tommytradix]

my opinion is the same as steves cause thats what i do lol i leave my male in there until the female is confirmed to be gravid even if it takes months ahaha they breed eventually

[d_virginiana]

Alright, the male is still in there with her, I just didn't know if it would be stressful to the female to have them together while she's gravid. I'll leave him in another month or so.

Bad news is I think the younger male (the smaller one) tried courting her, but I never saw a lockup so the backup male is the one she's been with the longest. I think he may have been too young/small He'll just have to wait till next year to pass his genes on I guess.

[Tommytradix]

what species?

[d_virginiana]

Eastern garters.

[slipknot711]

i love easterns, keep us updated! try taking a picture of her now and again maybe in a month or two, and keep taking pics, they keep growing when gravid but i know with me you dont see the change in the body, having pics for yourself may help, and of course i like pictures. may we see the pair thats has locked?

[guidofatherof5]

I think if he's mature enough to smell a ready female his size means nothing. He'll have to take his lumps just like the bigger males. Hang on until the ride is over boy.

[Tommytradix]

I think if he's mature enough to smell a ready female his size means nothing. He'll have to take his lumps just like the bigger males. Hang on until the ride is over boy.

hahahaa!!!

[Tommytradix]

​thats so true steve the females drag them around first time i seen it i though she was gonna break his junk