Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If gravidity isn't a word yet, I want credit for it! If it is, I want credit for using it properly!LOL.

My normal mated for the first time this year,and this is my first attempt at breeding. She was with a male on and off for since the 1st of April. We actually saw her mating about a week or so ago, though they could have been mating before that just didn't see it.

She already looks a little thicker but I would like to know when I should be able to see/feel the eggs. Also, should I continue feeding on a regular schedule or should she eat more now that she is gravid? How long after her prelay shed should she drop her eggs, 7-10 days? Any other signs of her gravidity (there's that word again)?

I will be getting her lay box and incubator ready and expect eggs sometime in the middle to late June.
Thanks
Joel

Joel,

I like that new word!

Corn snakes lay eggs about six weeks after a successful mating.

The last 2/3's of the female becomes noticebly swollen after about 4 weeks. You can feel and actually count the eggs in a gravid female if you let her crawl through your hands and press lightly on her ventral surface - though this takes a bit of practice.

I put females that I believe are gravid on an accelerated feeding schedule, feeding them twice a week. As gravidity progresses, females may only take smaller-than-usual meals - so half grown mice are handy to have around.

My corns lay eggs 10 days after the pre-egglaying shed. All snakes are subject to individualality, so 10 days is not a "hard and fast" rule, it's an average.

Good luck!

Tim

Third Eye

Tim, thanks for the info and yes I like the word too.

When you say to give them a little smaller meal as she gets bigger with her eggs, do you still feed a couple of times a week or back off along with the smaller meals?

By the way, finally found some easterns, will get them next week. Hope yours have bred. Look forward to seeing any young ens.

Joel

Yep, I'd feed her twice a week if she'll accept it. As the snake gets closer to egglaying, it will eat less, by I try to get all the food I can (within reason) into my gravid females.

My E. Kings have been breeding the last few days - I look forward to producing my first ones ever this year.

TIm

Kind of like "pregnantism"
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Mark

just letting you know.... i have a female who waits til the 20th day after shedding to lay.... its a pain to wait, but it happens.... congrats!!! and post pics if you can!!!
~kin
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~Sober Serpents~
www.freewebs.com/soberserpents
Corns, Creamsicles, A Black Rat, Thayeri, Cal Kings, A Jungle Corn(Just A Pet), A Ball Python, A Bearded dragon, Leopard Geckos, Green Anoles, a Snapping turtle, and a white cheeked mud turtle

"Pregnantism"...very good.
I will post pics when my wife teaches me how.
Joel