I never cease to be amazed at least once a year. I just had one of my female Laticinctus lay 6 eggs. She has be no where near a male in OVER 6 MONTHS!
She laid a clutch on 07/27, and has not seen a male since the 1st week of July. I have been feeding them heavy, and today went to put them in a slight brumation for about a month. I have had success dropping the temp on them to mid to low 60s for 4-6 weeks.
This female never refused a meal, and of course, I haven't offered her food for about 3 weeks, so she probably wouldn't have. I didn't really record a shed cycle, because I wasn't concerned about it at all. She didn't show any real sign of being gravid. They don't swell as much as a lot of snakes, and with heavy feeding, any weight gain was expected.
4 of the 6 eggs appear fertile. They show good veins when candled, and thankfully, I've been checking them often so I know they weren't in the hide for more than 2 days. This really throws a monkey wrench in this females cycle for me, but at least it seems she laid fertile eggs. I just would have like to give her more time off.
I'm still shaking my head at the 6 month sperm retention. Never assume you can plan mother nature.
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Brian Suter
