Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The below thread on small females got me thinking about the frequency of double clutching among various species. I find that my corns and pueblans ALWAYS double clutch (sometimes even triple), my western hogs usually do. My tropical/subtropical colubrids (house snakes, Lystrophis, etc...) lay clutches monthly or bimonthly until I cool them to "stop the madness". My hondurans double about 2/3 of the time, but my Pyros never-except knoblochi, which almost always present me with a second. Subocs also never. Brooksi usually.

How about the rest of you?

Brad Chambers

I never "tried" to double clutch anything, as i had my hands full as it was. certain brooksi females would regularly lay a second clutch. i once had a northern pine female double clutch, that was a bit of a surprise.
daveb

Why do people double clutch? Is it for money or just to have more snakes ?

You can find different sized babies from the same year and that would definatly account for it. These are DOMESTIC animals now, if they are healthy enough(low stress/high wieght) why not? Money is a good reason if you spent lots on a strain..... More animals is a good reason if you are looking for that 1/16,1/32,1/64 recessive. More experience with eggs at differing times of the year is a good reason--its harder to control conditions later in summer. I had a everglades rat that was just simply WAY too big, she always looked overwieght. She triple clutched and produced over 100 offspring in 1 year with no ill affects. In fact, the continual egg production was the most efficent diet ever divised. I only wish I could do that myself,lol. Dont judge people by this, GREED is different for everyone. Jeff

Sometimes the females are in condition and they just do. IMHO if they are going to ovulate and pass eggs it's best to breed them too as fertilized eggs pass with fewer problems than slugs which have a tendency to adhere and impact.