I have a female who is constantly breeding with my male. She is still eating weekly. Is there any sign to show she may be pregnant? Could I feel eggs if I run my fingers under her like in my corn snakes? what area?
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gravid symptoms
kathryn
Oct 02, 2004 01:15 PM
Replies (2)
Christy Talbert
Oct 02, 2004 04:45 PM
Hi Katryn,
How long have they been breeding?
You might be able to feel follicles - but probably not until way later in the season unless you have been breeding them since spring. Feel for follicles 2/3 of the way down your snake.
Good luck, Christy
serpentcity
Oct 03, 2004 09:33 PM
....early on, good appetite is GOOD....at some point she'll start to enter a pre-ovulatory swell period, during which the follicles will rapidly grow, or "ripen", and the female will start to refuse food. The female usually will shed 5-10 weeks before ovulating. The female usually refuses food after this shed. Before ovulation the female will often seek cooler temps, but after will seek warmer. The female will shed 16-22 days after ovulating. Females will often lie side-ways or belly up especially after this shed.
After ovulation, the back half of the snake will be very turgid, or firm, and a bit rounder than prior to ovulation. Depending on your palpation skills you can sometimes actually count the eggs...
Good luck!!!
Scott J. Michaels DVM
Serpent City
