Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a striped cal king and this is her first year breeding for me. She has bred previously but for another owner. She has shed and is huge, it has been over a week, but she seems so active. She is in and out of the box and doesn't seem to act as if she were pregnant. I have a banded king and I don't remeber her acting this way before she laid. All of our other snakes are very lazy before they shed and lay their eggs. Has anyone had a king act like this? Is this "normal"? I just figured maybe she is restless??? Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Laura
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~Laura

Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn

It's normal. Snakes are often restless prior to egglaying. They then settle into their nest box a day or so before laying eggs. Egglaying in Cal Kings often takes place 10 days after shedding.

Tim

Third Eye

I agree. In fact, my female Florida just barely settled down after cruising her cage for a few days, and this morning I woke up to eggs! Very normal.

Right on... my boyfriend is concerned that she may be bound... I don't think she is. I figured maybe she was restless because she was in "labor" pain. Thanks. I will let you know when she lays
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~Laura

Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn

ive had some go as long as 20days postshed to lay. what kind of lay/egg box do you have setup for her?temps?...if a female doesnt like the area provided often they will "cruise" in&out or all over tank searching for what they feel to be an adequate place although stressful most pull through this w/o probs, the best thing imho is during this time have as little contact as possible including visual cover tank,cage i usally use small water bowls during this period so there isnt any chance of them laying IN the water...good luck
,,,,,,,thomas davis

I second what tom says. If a female is happy with her laying site you shouldn't see her too much after she sheds. Occasionally they will do a few laps immediately before laying but nothing looking frantic. Often if they are cruising it means they are desperately looking for a good place to lay. This can lead to an increased risk of egg binding. (Although yours is definitely not eggbound yet)

Describe the laying box you are using.

It can also lead to laying in the water dish.
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3.6 L. getula californiae (Cal. King)
1.1 L. getula nigrita (MBK)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
1.0 Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi (Valley Garter)
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

Yeah, I have read that and heard it too many times to even count. But I have never seen it, or had it happen to anyone I know personally. Not with kings at least.

It happened to me once with a fence lizard long time ago.

I think it is rare if a nesting box is provided.
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3.6 L. getula californiae (Cal. King)
1.1 L. getula nigrita (MBK)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
1.0 Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi (Valley Garter)
1.0 Boa constrictor constrictor (suriname, fostering/rescue)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

She shed on the 14th of this month and she is in a rack system. The temps stay on a thermostat, the bf controls it. I think it is around low to mid 80s, but don't hold me to it Her box has moist Sphagnum Moss (on the opposite side of the heat). We have used it in all the king's and milk's nesting boxes and no one has had a problem with needing a new nesting site. They all did very well with it last year. When should I get concerned with her being bound? Will there be any sign or symptoms? I will post exact temps when he gets home Thanks
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~Laura

Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn

How much moss is in the nest box? Is it clear or solid colored?

Just because a set up works for some snakes doesn't mean all snakes will be happy with it.

My advice... Spray down the whole cage and make sure her nest box is FULL TO THE TOP with moss. Leave her alone, and resist the urge to check on her all the time.

If she does not lay with 48-72 hours I would start to be getting concerned about egg binding.