These pairs are typically separated during the year and introduced together as soon as the ambient temperatures start to drop at night. Normal (non-breeding season) temps are between 87°F to 78°F. When the overall temperatures drop during the winter here in Texas, the ambient temps are maintained at 82°F to 68°F Copulation occurred several times from the initial introduction (mid October) and again as the pairs were re-introduced to each other. Both pairs are randomly separated during this breeding season to offer a break to the females and to stimulate the male's desire to breed. I like to put the male into the female's cage to reduce the stress and perhaps mimic the natural tendency of a male to wander into a female's territory as it is presumed to happen in the wild. As more breeding was observed in late November, the females were starting to take on that "opaque but not shedding look." Both females have refused food during the last few feedings. One female did shed in December during a separation and the tail part of her shed skin was left in for the re-introduction. Both females have been offered basking lights during the day (30W spot bulbs) in early January. Only one of them has been observed basking under the light so far. Typically this (basking) is associated with follicle growth in the females.

These two pairs of chondros are in the same room but are visually separated from each other. Males in the same room have been documented to cause visible stress possibly by hormonal cues or some scent given off by the more dominant male. In my small set up here, I am limited in space and therefore I try to reduce any possible stress by creating a visually blocking barrier. Apologies for the poor quality of several photos, they were taken at night with a flash. More photos can be seen below.

UPDATE: The eggs laid in February are cooking right along and are due to hatch April 4th. Feel free to contact me via email about a waiting list. Babies will not be sold until they are eating successfully and have gained significant body weight. Prices will include shipping to your nearest airport. I don't have a price for these animals right now, but I can assure you they will be competitive with current prices for available hatching green tree pythons. Thank you.

UPDATE: Eggs have hatched 4/4/01. 21 total eggs, 2 unfertile, 1 dead in egg (very tiny), and 18 viable babies. Equal numbers of maroon and yellow. The female was removed from the clutch and is doing great. Her babies will be absorbing the rest of their yolk over the next few hours. Check back for more updates.

UPDATE: Several of the babies are out and have begun perching. Two yellow babies have died since the hatch date. One was under-developed, extremely tiny, very pale, with a big bulbous head. This morning, one yellow was dead from what appears to be drowning in its yolk sac. There are now 16 babies alive. See above for the first photo of the newborn hatchling.

THE INFO ABOVE WAS WRITTEN DURING THIS BREEDING SEASON