Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have tons of questions. If anyone can point me in the right direction to a good carebreeding sheet that would help.. Now a quick question. I purchased a 6ft female redtail from the local pet store she has good wieght she was in the back of the store housed with 2 males and another female.. She was sold to me as possibly pregnant. My guess is if she is its not been very long her lower half is somewhat swollen.. When I got her she ate like 3 large rats and now hasn't eaten in 3weeks and is now shedding. My question is what would be some signs of her being preg. She has gone to the bathroom since eating but seemed to retain a lot more wieght then all my other 3 girls. I am a python guy this will be my first litter.. Any help advice would be great...

First rule number one is any adult female in a petshop is sold as poss. gravid, it is a rule. lol. Check out boaphile plastics website for great breeding info. There is no way to easily tell if she is gravid now without an ultrasound but I would guess no since she ate 3 large rats. If she maintains body temp at 86 then there is a good chance she is. Good luck. Craig

And, very important, if you think she might be gravid, SLOW DOWN on the feedings. two to four week (IMO closer to four) intervals and smaller total volume. The fact she ate three large rats could be good or bad re gravid. I believe typically speaking eating three larges would not indicate gravid but she could be "stocking the cupboards" if she was not fed well at the store (as if that would ever happen).

Slowing down on her feeding won't hurt her, keeping feeding large meals could harm (even terminate) babies if she is gravid.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats