..or at least qualify it a bit..
(Speaking of colubrid snakes here)
Is the temperature at a certain time during incubation a deciding factor??
I would assume yes, but I have no clue really.
During the say..60 days it takes to incubate some colubrid eggs, would a "spike" in temps at the first/mid/last 20 days for a set duration have an effect??
I think some would think a prolonged "spike" in temps generally has a negative (early hatch, kinks, etc) but what about a shorter one? And is it more/less a difference at a certain time during the incubation period?
I wonder if most deformed (visually) snakes are one sex or the other.
Obviously, there is a lot to be discovered and I for one have let opportunities go by when things like this have happened to me by not documenting much more info.
I really have only questions...
I would also assume (possibly quite erroneously) that snakes tend to nest and lay in spots where temps do not fluctuate wildly or stay too hot or cold either for extended periods.(FR??)
In a long, hot, dry year are there more of one sex hatching?? I have a feeling there are not but it's just a feeling.
In my experience, I have had both high male to female ratios in some clutches and nearly equal ratios in others just about every year. All incubated at the same conditions.
I'd like to see someone do an in depth study on all this.
It'd be interesting.

[ Hide Replies ]

• Embryonic temperature determines sexuality in reptiles? - ZFelicien, Mon Sep 19 10:21:38 2005
• RE: Embryonic temperature determines sexuality in reptiles? - bluerosy, Mon Sep 19 17:20:15 2005
• It is noted in peopard geckos............... - TobyEKing, Mon Sep 19 17:38:16 2005
• To add to the question... - crimsonking, Mon Sep 19 20:48:30 2005
• RE: Excellent Question Mark - snakesunlimited1, Mon Sep 19 22:33:57 2005
• RE: Excellent Question Mark - bluerosy, Mon Sep 19 22:54:04 2005
• RE: Excellent Question Mark - snakesunlimited1, Mon Sep 19 23:11:57 2005
• Please explain........ - TobyEKing, Mon Sep 19 23:32:41 2005
• RE: Please explain........ - bluerosy, Tue Sep 20 01:42:03 2005
• da$#% , I wish there was an edit function n/p - bluerosy, Tue Sep 20 01:43:49 2005
• ROFLMAO........................................n/p - TobyEKing, Tue Sep 20 02:21:08 2005
• RE: Please explain........ - jlassiter, Tue Sep 20 18:48:49 2005
• But John.......... - TobyEKing, Tue Sep 20 19:15:05 2005
• actually since you mentioned it - bluerosy, Tue Sep 20 21:16:32 2005
• RE: Embryonic temperature determines sexuality in reptiles? - Paul Hollander, Tue Sep 20 11:15:44 2005