Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am a beginner at this and I dont want to mess anything up, its been 44 days since my male first started mating with my female, I saw them together for a number of hours for at least a week.
So far I only noticed that my female was getting heavier, it was recommended by a friend that I stop feeding her. The past couple of days I noticed a lump about 6 inches from her head, I dont know if its an egg or what, but so far thats all ive seen.
Should i keep feeding her? and if so should I feed her smaller or larger or her regular meals?
Also what temperature should I keep her at? Right now she has a large waterbowl and a hide-box with wet moss in it and the temp is kept at 95 during the day and 80 at night.
Any suggestions would be a huge help! thanks!
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Jess
1.1 adult brazilian rainbows
1.0 sub-adult brazilian rainbow (FOR SALE!)
1.0 western hognose
1.0 normal corn
1.0 african brown house snake
0.1 hypo Boa constrictor
0.1 normal boa constrictor
0.1 normal ball python
1.0 black kingsnake (wandering around the house)
Oodles of mice
1.1 paranoid parents "too many snakes!"

Jess,

I've found that feeding varies by animal. I have had females refuse food for 5 months and I have had females eat all the way up until a few weeks before they give birth. If she'll still take food, then I would offer it to her. Keep the meals moderately sized. Maybe a little smaller around than she is at her widest point. You're not trying to put on any fat reserves now but if she continues to feed it will make it easier to recuperate after she gives birth.

Your temperatures sound a little high to me. Gravid females will find a nice warm spot to bask and sometimes they won't move for months. But 95° is overdoing it. 86 to 88° during the day with a night time drop to 82 -84° is good.

A lump 6 inches from the head doesn't sound like an egg. Can you post a picture?
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Mike Lockwood
www.tooscaley.com

Sorry about that typo, its about 16 inches from her head, it feels hard and I'll probably have pics tomorrow. So far I've turned down the heat.
Also, should she not be handled while she's gravid? so far I have only taken her out of her cage to clean it.
Any other suggestions are helpful.
Thanks!
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Jess
1.1 adult brazilian rainbows
1.0 sub-adult brazilian rainbow (FOR SALE!)
1.0 western hognose
1.0 normal corn
1.0 african brown house snake
0.1 hypo Boa constrictor
0.1 normal boa constrictor
0.1 normal ball python
1.0 black kingsnake (wandering around the house)
Oodles of mice
1.1 paranoid parents "too many snakes!"

O.k. now the waiting begins. If you've got temps in the mid to high 80's she will know what to do. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Handling should be kept to a minimum. Let her alone so she can thermoregulate. If you have to clean the cage, try to spot clean around her.

The lump sounds like the remnants of her last meal in the stomach. 16" sounds a little too close to her head to be ova. In the 16" zone on a mature BRB, you're going to find liver, lungs and stomach. The ovaries and then the uterus are a little further along. Leave her alone for a couple of months and just watch her. About mid-april, pick her up and hold her gently by supporting the front 1/4 of her body. Let the rear 3/4 dangle. In gravid snakes you will often see regular lumpiness along the lower 3/4 of the abdomen. This is a pretty sure sign that she's gravid. Also, most likely, she will be refusing food by that time.

This is the most frustrating time with these snakes. Months and months of just watching. Be patient and let us all know if any more questions come up.
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Mike Lockwood
www.tooscaley.com