Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How can I tell if my king is gravid or not? any tips
Thanks
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Josh Delaney

Delaney Colubrids

She'll get really fat from the mid-point down. She'll quit eating for a couple weeks before laying her eggs often. If you've just bred them, there's no way to know for sure if she's fertilized or not.

Here's my king last spring a couple weeks before laying her eggs. She must of taken at least a good 6 weeks to lay her eggs.

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Matt from Minnesota

Many people suggest doing two or three succesful copulations rather than just one. Don't know if it makes a difference or not.

In about 4 weeks or so you should definitely be able to see.
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3.5 L. getula californiae
1.1 L. getula nigrita
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
2.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

I agree!

And. after the 2 or 3 hook up's a great indication that she is gravid is when she starts to run away from or flat out refuse to breed with the male.

That's when i am sure she is gravid!

~ Mike Russo

Are they both from "Applegate" stock?, or just the VERY hypo looking one?......those are nice!.........................Doug
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

The Male is Applegate the Female is 100% het Applegate.. here is some better pix..

~ Mike

Female Top / Male Middle / Female Bottom

.. And, thank you for the compliment Doug!!!

~ Mike

Well I put them together on 2-24 and 3 or 4 days after I witnessed breeding during this time. She’s had like two meals of 4 mice since breeding because the male wouldn’t eat his 2 and she hasn't eaten since. Anyway I put them together yesterday for the first time since February and the male grabbed a hold of her but all she did was curl up and pull her tail away from him. She kind of looks swollen when she lays a certain way but I really can't tell. So if she did get fertilized at the end of Feb. about when should she lay? See in the picture she looks swollen but when she moves and straightens out she doesn't.
Thanks
sorry blurry pic

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Josh Delaney

Delaney Colubrids

I didn't mention this but she lays with her bottom half under the heat lamp a lot too is this any indication?
Thanks
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Josh Delaney

Delaney Colubrids

they usually lay 7-8 weeks or so after breeding. She sure does look "gravid" from the photo!, and yes, they many times will try to thermoregulate the eggs from an external source.......A very easy way to see if she has eggs(although it should be very visible by now) is to gently take her out and put a firm, but gentle pressure against her belly with the end of your thumb starting at the halfway point of her body. As your thumb slowly goes down her belly surface(with enough pressure to slightly indent the belly) you should be able to feel the "egg lumps" one by one as you go down..........in addition, if she IS gravid from the early Feb. mating, she will need a "lay box" as soon as possible so she can deposit them in a suitable spot!. From you're mating date, she will lay any time now!!!......Doug
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

I re-read your post, and you said they bred in late Feb., so about the middle of April, start to prep the "lay box" you still have plenty of time.
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

Ok thanks
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Josh Delaney

Delaney Colubrids