Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hullo,
I got a group of proven breeding Brazil Rainbow Boas, 2 male and 3 female, it was going to be a good start to learning how to breed them until I got an email from there previous owner saying they may already be gravid,
Since this is my first time breeding snakes, I wondered if anyone can tell me what to look for to figure out if they are gravid or not?
Thanks =)

Tor-Anlec,
. Many gravid BRBs look lumpy in the aft half of their body. You can let them crawl through your hand applying a little squeezing pressure and feel each of the lumps. The lumps can be either unfertilized or fertilized ova so this method will not definitely answer your question. This method works best in smaller snakes. In really big heavy ones the lumps are difficult to feel with your fingers. You could have an Xray done but Xrays can be terratogenetic. The risk of Xrays damaging the fetus are highest during early gravidity and less later on so waiting and then getting an Xray might be a reasonable option. You could also call around and see if a local veterinarian has an ultrasound and would like to try that.
Jeff

>>Hullo,
>>I got a group of proven breeding Brazil Rainbow Boas, 2 male and 3 female, it was going to be a good start to learning how to breed them until I got an email from there previous owner saying they may already be gravid,
>>Since this is my first time breeding snakes, I wondered if anyone can tell me what to look for to figure out if they are gravid or not?
>>Thanks =)

I let her slide across as you suggested, most of her body was muscular some areas felt softer than others about 75% the way down, but nothing that felt lumpy (Also not knowing how lumpy to look for makes it harder),

John (guy who sold me them) wrote: "I can't be sure but it is possible that two of the females are gravid now as they are showing little tell tale signs. EG laying on there backs. refusing food,"

I havent seen them laying on there backs One of the females has refused food for 2 weeks (since I got them),

So not sure hehe =S

Tor-Anlec,
. The lumps are a little smaller than a hen's egg. In a female BRB less than 4.5 pounds they are often real easy to feel and you can even count how many there are. In larger females they are not as likely to make a noticeable lump in the snake's body.
Jeff

>>I let her slide across as you suggested, most of her body was muscular some areas felt softer than others about 75% the way down, but nothing that felt lumpy (Also not knowing how lumpy to look for makes it harder),
>>
>>John (guy who sold me them) wrote: "I can't be sure but it is possible that two of the females are gravid now as they are showing little tell tale signs. EG laying on there backs. refusing food,"
>>
>>I havent seen them laying on there backs One of the females has refused food for 2 weeks (since I got them),
>>
>>So not sure hehe =S