Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had one clutch of Eastern Indigo eggs hatch out so far this season with another that should hatch soon. Both clutches had a high mortality. Anyway, there were 2 eggs from the first clutch that didn't hatch at the same time as the others. I gave them a week... then gave up.

Here's what I found...
Bad Eggs

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Carl W Gossett
Garage Door Herps
Monument,Colorado...northern territory of the Great Republic of Texas

Doug,

Though completely heartbreaking, the scenario that you have documented is all to familiar to me. Several years ago (2) I had the vast majority of my eggs go bad(infertile) with three that went full term only to die in the shell before hatching. All had hard and cheesy substance in the egg that replaced what would be the soft yolk. I hatched out a whopping total of 1 (ONE) Eastern Indigo that year, and it was a slow starter on food items! Thank you for sharing this with us in this format, I think it clearly illustrates the difficulties that people encounter when trying to reprodce these awesome snakes in captivity. Still, they are worth it, even with all the uncertainty and sorrow.

Sincerely,

Fredrick Albury

Great Information Doug! Very nicely presented.

Hey Fred-

Good to see you posting again.

According to my math, that should be about the time I bought my male from you. If it's any consolation, He is doing awesome.
He is now around 5' and has quite the "personality". He is truly an amazing critter & hasn't given me any problems.

I bought a female elsewhere the same year and she is only about half his length -though close to the same girth -and eating just as frequently: (~5 day intervals).

Maybe just sexual dimorphism ???

Thanks for breeding such a terrific animal! I'm only beginning to understand all the challenges you guys have breeding this Genus.

Thanks again Fred for my little buddy.

-Eric in SF...

Very good job with the pics Doug. Since I have never breed any snakes it was very interesting for me to see exactly what goes on with this process. Maybe someday I will have gained enough knowledge from all of you guys here on the forum to give this a try. Until then, I'll continue to watch all of you guys.
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Gregory S. Hake