Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, little story, followed by a simple question, and hopefully tons of responses.

I have a snow male, my friend has a double het female. About three weeks ago, she noticed another normal male, het ghost (I know, hypo and anery ,sorry) chasing her around the cage. That normal looking male was just over 30 inches, so I didn't think he'd be very effective as a sperm donor, if you know what I mean. Anywho, April 1st, I got that female, and along with my other bigger females, put the mating pairs together that I wanted. The double het female was considerably smaller than the other two, but not unhealthly so (is that a word?) Anywho, today she laid 10 good eggs, after she shed two days ago. Good story so far, huh? On to the real question...

Do you think the "dad" is the snow she was with for the last two weeks, or the normal het ghost of two weeks ago? Reason why I ask is because the bigger females are obviously ready to lay once they shed, but were beaten by this smaller female. Does size matter? Would a bigger female be able to keep the eggs in longer, there by having more eggs? Or should I be 99% sure that the normal male is the dad? Better question yet, how can I tell for sure when they hatch? What complicates things even more, I was sold this female as double het, never 100% sure that she was. You know how some people will say one thing, not really knowing for sure it's true.

So, basically, the question to all the breeders, how long, once I've witnessed the two go at it, does it take before the female lays, and how can I tell for sure, assuming that the female is double het, who the dad was?

Thank you for your time!

AJ

I hope this is what you are looking for...

Gravid female will usually continue to feed ravenously for an additional three to five weeks after mating before the enlarging eggs in the oviducts make passing food or fecal matter uncomfortable. Appetites will slacken slightly or quit all together as the females approach the pre-natal shed, which is a clue that the egg-laying will occur in about 10-14 days.

Elaphe gutta eggs hatch in approximately nine weeks at thier optimal hatching temp of 85 degrees.

THIS IS PARAPHRASING WHAT KATHY LOVE HAS WRITTEN IN HER BOOK.
" THE CORN SNAKE MANUAL "

The shortest I've heard for gestation is 35 days. I would guess it was the other male, not yours, who "donated" since she layed already.... Just my 2 cents
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Dianne
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Ok, that being said, what would a normal double het and a normal het ghost produce? I'm thinkin' it something like a few anerys possible, but most will be normal looking with no way to tell if they are het for anything, right?

AJ