problem with laying eggs ?

[Jessica4]

hi guys i have a 2-3 year old female and male and about a month and 3 weeks ago i caught them mating for couple of times . i left them for 3 weeks together and then i moved the female to a large storage box and put a container with vermiculite in it (attached the picture) 2 weeks ago she shed and i tried to feed her after that and it was successful. now this morning i noticed she took all the vermiculite outside the container so i refilled it with more vermiculite.and i also noticed that the past 2 weeks as soon as i try to open the storage box to check on her she start rattling her tail and pull herself up like shes going to attack . is there any suggestions about something else i should do ?or what i might be doing wrong for her to be this defensive and scared? and i'm also worried that she's taking too long to lay her eggs. would like to thank you in advance for ur help !

 

[Nanci]

She might be more comfortable if you made her a lay box with orchid (sphagnum) moss. Just make sure it doesn't have chemicals on it. You could go with a lay box about half the size of what you have, with the hole in the top. She wants to feel cozy and hidden, able to bury herself in the moss. Check in garden stores for it.

 

[Jessica4]

and do you think she's taking too long to lay her eggs ? and regard the fact that shes scared and defensive , do you know what might be the problem ?

 

[The Cat]

Am I right in thinking that you're cohabiting your snakes? If so, don't return the female to the same tank as the male and get her her own tank/tub. I hope everything goes well with the eggs!!

 

[Christen]

If she shed two weeks ago then no it hasn't been to long just yet but she should be getting close. I am with Nanci on the moss. Girls seem to like it better but I would refrain from checking on her and only check twice a day. It is also common for them to push all the bedding to one side and lay the eggs directly on the lay box. Especially with the way your lay box is set up. I make mine similar and I think they like to block the hole to feel more secure. So try not to rearrange it for her. She knows what she is doing

 

[Nanci]

You don't have to physically handle her to check, either. Watch her behaviour. If she is in and out, she isn't ready to lay. If she is peeking out, she isn't ready to lay. If she goes in, clears a space, has a dazed look- laying is going to happen soon. Once she starts, just leave her alone for 12-24 hours. No bothering! If at 12 hours (24 is fine) you don't see any bulges at her vent, gently lift her rear end to make sure she is done. If you see any lumps- put her back and leave her stricktly alone for another 12 hours.

 

[Jessica4]

yes the cat i have a quite large vivarium which i let the male and female together and they do get along together quite well , they sleep together most of the time and the couple of days after they mated ,they spend most of all the time in their hiding place together and as , soon as i removed her he spent 2 days looking around without no sleep, dont know if its cos of her or by coincidence , and i cant get another vivarium cos im sure my boyfriend is going to throw me out if i get another one regard the laying box this afternoon i noticed where all the vermiculite went.she digged a tunnel under the container through the flakes and shes staying there,she even managed to move the vermiculite under the container. shall i do something or leave everything as is?cos i asked an owner of a reptile shop and he said she is going to lay her eggs there.shall i buy moss and put it inside the container ?im sorry for asking so many questions but im new to this

 

[Jessica4]

to be honest i didnt try to handle her for this couple of weeks since i was a bit afraid because she rattles her tail everytime i try to get close to her . all i do is just open the storage box to see how shes doing and yet still she wont be happy let alone if i try to touch her.this is the first time i saw her under the container since i couldnt find her and i had to lift up the container to find her there.but this time she didnt rattle her tail.guess im gonna have the eggs soon then ??

 

[KaylaEliuk]

Snakes are not a herd or pack animal. They are solitary. When they are together like that, they aren't cuddling or bonded. They're competing for the same resources. They're probably both much better off as they are. If you handle her and give her exercise, she may even be fine in the container you have her in now. It looks like she has a good amount of room, and both snakes will be much happier for it.
If your man is okay with you breeding and having MORE snakes as a result, even for a short time, he should be fine with you having another Viv.

 

[The Cat]

yes the cat i have a quite large vivarium which i let the male and female together and they do get along together quite well , they sleep together most of the time and the couple of days after they mated ,they spend most of all the time in their hiding place together and as , soon as i removed her he spent 2 days looking around without no sleep, dont know if its cos of her or by coincidence , and i cant get another vivarium cos im sure my boyfriend is going to throw me out if i get another one

Like said above, both snakes are competing for the same spot. Here are some threads on why NOT to cohabitate your snakes.


http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118182

http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31192&highlight=cohabbing

http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68259&highlight=cohabbing


I hope you change your mind about cohabbing.

 

[Jessica4]

Guys I came home and found 5healthy eggs !!! I think she has more eggs to lay I'm so happy !!! I'm gonna let the night pass and I guess it's best to remove her in the morning or shall I let her for more time ?

 

[Nanci]

She should be done by morning.

 

[kc261]

Congrats!!