Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In the post below, both Wisema2297 and myself had snakes that produced two clutches. His snakes that were not introduced to a male after the post lay shed produced about 96% duds. My snake that produced a second clutch was never reintroduced, and 75% of the second clutch was good and 100% of the first clutch was also good.

The question is, why the differences in the results? Are there any of you out there who are breeding Rat Snakes interested in trying to figure out why? (Keeping accurate records and recording and sharing the data.)

I think it would be very tough to figure out "why" but here is my case from last year. My female that double clutched from retained sperm laid 12 eggs and, although they all looked good, only 4 eggs hatched. I suspect that is simply due to the effectiveness of "retained sperm" in Obsoleta. Other cases I've heard about have also resulted in poor hatch rates.

Thanks. What was her condition before you started cooling her last winter? Did you feed her extra when she came out of cooling? How many times did you introduce her to the male? How close was that last time to the second shed after warming?

Thanks again for responding.

I fed her aggressively. She looked heavy but not obese. Did not cool her. The male stayed in her cage for 2 weeks. First clutch was 22 eggs.

The only other things that I can think of are:

1. Age of the snake - one of mine that produced all duds is older. I am not sure exactly because she was an adult when I got her but I was told she was pushing 10 yrs. Perhaps the older they get past a certain age then the less productive they are.

2. The snake mentioned above was not breed as many times as she should have been in order to retain enough sperm for a viable second clutch.

3. combination of 1 and 2.

Thanks! Were you planning for the second clutch, or was it just a pleasent but unexpected event?

I fed her as much as she would eat once she laid in preparation for a second clutch but when I reintroduced the male she wanted nothing to do with him. I'm guessing this is why I had all duds.

The corn that double clutched with 17 good eggs did breed again. I didn't witness it but saw the stains left behind, she was also fed as much as she would eat after laying her first clutch.

So to answer your question I was planning on double clutching but the female in question didn't cooperate with the male after laying her first clutch.

Something else that may come into play is size. She is an older AND smaller female (miami) who laid good but smaller eggs the first time and then all duds the second.

So to summarize: she is smaller, older and refused to breed again after her first clutch.

I had a female coachwhip that double clutched every year but her second clutch was always deformed while her first clutch was perfect. I have no doubt that she had depleated her vitamins and whatever it took to make good eggs she did not have. I suplimented her and the problem resolved itself.

-----
"Life without risk is to merely exist."

ROTFL I looked at the two pics and thought "Man those are some weird looking coach whips!!" You threw me for a second. I have had good luck with doubles minus the vitamins but I can see how it would help. I just worry about to much supplementation. When do you start and stop the supplements??

Jason

I simple inject range chicken egg yoke into frozen thawed food items. I cut the yoke only with 50% water and inject 1/10 the weight of the item fed.
-----
"Life without risk is to merely exist."

I agree. Last year I had very poor hatch rates. Even the first clutches were bad. I feed frozen / thawed only, so I figured it could have something to do with nutrition. Now that I supplement the snakes, hatch rates are up to 100%, and the hatchlings are significantly bigger and healthier than in 2006.

Funny though, I never had this problem with my kingsnakes.

Thanks for the new posts. The more I read them, the more I think it is the condition of the female at the time of mating and not stuffing her with food after she has her first clutch.

I am having a slight problem with mold on two of the eggs in the second clutch. I rinsed off the mold and sprinkled Athlete's Foot Powder on all of them. Since they have another five weeks to go, I will just have to wait and see.

The first clutch of 13 eggs were all good and the pups are feeding on f/t pinks like little pigs. At about 10 days of age, most of them don't even try to bite me any more.

Some days you just get lucky!

The mom

What is a good supplement to use? What is the dosage and frequency?

Jim