Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My female Okeetee has not eaten since being separated from the male. This would be her first time being gravid (hopefully), and mine, and I'm just concerned for her. I had doubled up on her mice beforehand, and she ate well. Just not sure this is normal... It's been three weeks since I separated them, and she shed today. There is a nest box in with her.
Thanks!
Beth

It should be pretty normal if she is that close to laying. There isn't much room in there with all of the eggs. Try feeding smaller meals.
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.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 MO Locale Black Ratsnake "Molly" (Flogging Molly)

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"

if its been more than 3 weeks since they mated (I am going to guess they were together for a while and mated shortly after being introduced), then she may totally stop eating. She should have wanted smaller meals, and some snakes stop eating all together a while before laying. A few of mine this year did not even gradually decrease in the size of meals. They went from eating everything (normal size), to reffusing everything. Its good you have a nest box in the cage. Especially if the female just shed. It is Usually within 2 weeks after the shed.
I say usually because nothing goes according to a set plan. Some snakes will lay before even their pre lay shed.
If you are concerned, offer a very small meal and see if she accepts it.
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****Misty****

www.sneakyserpents.com

"Life is Killing Me"

I offered her a large fuzzy last night, she refused it from the tongs, so I just laid it on top of the nest box. It was gone shortly thereafter! I'll offer her a couple more later. Thanks for the ideas!
Beth