Typically gopher snakes as well as other colurbrid snakes would mate not long after coming out of brumation (hibernation of sorts). Several weeks later the female will have a pre-lay shed and will deposit her eggs. In captivity most of us use a rubbermaid/sterilite shoe box filled with moist sphagnum moss of a laying box. This most often takes place in May/June. Most breeders will place the eggs in another plastic shoe box. Several different media are used to keep the eggs moist but not wet, perlite, vermiculite and some use a combination of these or even the sphagnum moss. If maintained around 85-86*F the eggs will hatch in /- 70 days. This would be around early fall with a June laying.

It's possible she may have stopped feeding in preparation for brumation. Many of us are experiencing this with our colubrids right now.

If you really believe she is gravid you can check by running your fingertips down the length of her belly. As you get near the rear portion of her belly you should feel the lumps of eggs. Being as she has been alone most of the summer and it nearing brumation time I feel most likely she is not gravid.

For more information on gopher snakes and related species pines snakes and bull snakes check out.

http://www.kingsnake.com/pituophis/species.html
-----
BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
1.2 P. m. melanoleucus B/W N. J. Northern Pines
1.2 P. d. deppei Mexican Pines
2.2 P. l. lineaticollis Linis or Lined Pines
1.2 P. m. lodingi Black Pines
1.1 Drymarchon melenurus Blacktail Cribo
1.2 M. s. cheynei Jungle Carpet
2.6 L. p. pyromelana Arizona Mt. Kings
1.1 L. g. californiae B/W Cali kings

[ Hide Replies ]

• How to tell if gopher snake is pregnant - mistifire, Mon Oct 25 14:35:06 2010
• RE: How to tell if gopher snake is pregnant - Bigtattoo, Mon Oct 25 16:22:53 2010
• RE: How to tell if gopher snake is pregnant - metalpest, Tue Oct 26 01:18:22 2010
• RE: How to tell if gopher snake is pregnant - mistifire, Tue Oct 26 14:36:00 2010