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What are the signs that a famle is gravid?

A

Asrelius

New member
Hi all,

I paired my 2 creamsicles on 3 separate ocassions end of March/early April. The male was rested for 3 days between each mating and was last paired with the female on the 9th of April. Semen was found on the substrate after the last 2 matings.

Tia (the female) shed on the 13th of May and has refused her last 2 feeds (this is unusual). I have provided her with a laying box and she made use of it.

So, in many ways the signs are there but she doesn't look bigger than normal. Naturally, she is one of the biggest corns I've seen but she doesn't appear all that different to me.

Are there any other signs to look out for? This is my first attempt at breeding snakes so any advice appreciated :)
 
Try sitting on the floor with her, with her on the ground, and starting about a quarter of the way down her body, let her crawl slowly through your fingers. Hold her with your thumb on top and your second and third fingers pressed gently into her belly. You can feel developing eggs.

Next, look at her sides, where her side scales meet her belly scales. She should look expanded or bulgy here. Her lower third may look bloated, and her spine may look more prominent.

I would not feed her now until she lays.

You can expect her to lay any time from now until two or three weeks from now. Most of mine lay about 12 days from the pre-lay shed.

Remove her big water bowl and replace it with a small bowl she can't get into. If she lays the eggs in water they will drown.

Gentle exercise such as crawling on the floor and up and over your hands, being careful to not let her fall, is beneficial and will tone up her muscles for egg-laying.
 
Thank you Nanci. I have done as you suggested. Not entirely sure what to expect but she does feel heavier and rounder in general although I can't decide if I actually felt eggs or not. It seemed like there lumpy bits here and there but I'm not sure.
 
Laying 6-10 days after the prelay shed is the norm around here. If you have seen the hookup the snake is likely gravid. I don't stop feeding them until they actually refuse to eat, but I switch to multiple small items like fuzzies instead of a big mouse. It sounds to me like eggs any day from what you describe.
 
Thank you for that Ghost, much appreciated

Indeed Ghost she does look rather like those pics. I think perhaps it's just that she's a big girl making it difficult for me to notice a difference.

I'll keep you all updated :)
 
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