Good advice from Christy and Anthony. I’ll just add that I’ve been breeding snakes since 1979 (actually the first time was a fluke!) and I’ve experienced dystocia in one Burmese python, one blood python, and one or two colubrids, but never a ball python.



My preference would be to NOT allow injections of something like oxytocin in an attempt to facilitate passage of the eggs. Although this technique has often proved successful with chelonians, I don’t believe it works with snakes. And I believe you risk rupturing the snake’s oviduct(s). If it comes down to intervention, given the huge size of ball python eggs, then surgery is the only real option. But I’m betting that in a few days you’ll look in that nest box for the umpteenth time and find her coiled around a clutch of eggs!



Not a veterinarian,

-Joan







>>First time breeder. Everything by the book. Ovulated Mar 19, pre-lay shed 22 days later. Very obviously gravid. She chooses to remain in egg-laying box at 84-88 degrees rather than use basking site. Now 34 days since shed and still no eggs. How long before I worry that she's egg-bound? I've heard the vet can inject a hormone to induce contractions, if unsuccessful then surgery. Either way the eggs are no good. Can the snake breed successfully after one of these procedures?

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