Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Have any of you ever heard of "egg binding" in live bearing snakes? I know that "egg binding" is not the right words to use. I have an eyelash viper that is no doubt swollen with babies. However, she seems long over do and very lethargic. Obviously, she stopped eating a couple of months ago...maybe as long as 3 months ago and that's ok. What I am worried about is she doesn't seem to drink anymore either. I have her pulled out of her large naturalistic enclosure and have put her in a more simple and sterile terrarium...Water bowl, a live plant and paper towels. I mist her a couple of times a day. Should I be worried? Thanks in advance.

I don't know what its called either perhaps someone else will shed some light on the subject. I do know that it does happen for a variety of reasons. Jeff Ronne mentions it in his book on Boas, so I imagine that other live bearers have similar incidents. I would say that a trip to the vet for an ultrasound is in order but those are expensive, and I know of no standard vet that will see a viper.

Where are you located?
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

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This comes up occasionally in that forum. Of course some will just say go to a vet. That is the best advise, but not always avaliable with venomous.

You should really be asking this in the venemous forum. That said, what does come to mind right away is the change you made in her housing. I work primarily with egg layers. When it's time to lay their eggs I provide them with what is natural. A dark moist box with damp substrate. In the wild these snakes would lay their eggs in a burrow, downed and rotting tree, etc. You moved your female to a birthing area that may not offer her the security that she is naturally looking for. In the wild, where do eyelash vipers birth? Try to provide a similar environment.