They are "egg" masses that either did not get fertilized or died very early in development. There were PICs posted here on the forum about a month ago of a Boa Constrictor that died gravid and it showed the masses still inside the oviducts. Boa Constrictors are not placental like we mammals. In reproduction the female produces these masses which are somewhat like the yolk of a typical shelled egg. As the developing fetal snake grows it gets it's nourishment from the fat stored in that mass. If they are not fertilized or die in development they remain in the oviducts and are delivered with the rest of the litter. In some cases they can become stuck in the oviducts and cause problems.

Jeff





>>what exactly are they?

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• slugs w/ baby snakes - SherriX2, Wed Jun 18 23:11:34 2008
• RE: slugs w/ baby snakes - Jeff Clark, Thu Jun 19 21:08:10 2008