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I have a 1.3 group of WC Eastern Chain Kings all from the same locale in S. Carolina. The smallest female laid 7 eggs on 6/26. (6 good/1 bad)She seemed underweight and much thinner than the other 2 females, smaller head, etc. And she was suffering from a lot of skin infections. She was 38" and 354 grams the day she laid. The eggs seemed a bit dehydrated- not firm and plump. But they candled OK and are developing nicely.In fact they are so plump now they look like they are about to explode! I have them laying-not covered, in vermiculite in an aquarium type incubator at 82-83 degrees. Is there a danger of them absorbing too much moisture? My main question is this. A second female layed 14 eggs today. They all candled good. She was 40" and 451 grams before laying, very healthy looking and good weight. But the eggs are about half the size of the other females clutch. They too seem dehydrated, very easy to dent, not nice and plump. Is this because they have not yet absorbed moisture from the air? They all had constant water and she ate grown mice all the way up to last Sunday. Could the males genes play a part in how large the eggs are when layed? Has anyone else observed differences like this? And the condition of the eggs when layed, is this normal? To be rather poorly looking until they get started? My incubator setup hatched some Scarlet Kings just fine 2 weeks ago so I think thats OK. I have pictures but I dont know how to attach them so if someone can help me there it would be greatly appreciated too! Thanks in advance, Mark

Hello

Eggs can vary in size so thats no big deal. If you dont find the eggs right away they will dent in a little but within a day in the incubator they should plump right up. As far as eggs getting too much moisture you can tell when the eggs start to sweat like a cold glass of water on a hot day. Sounds like everything is doing okay and I wouldn't change anything.

Keith

>>she ate grown mice all the way up to last Sunday.

it's worth noting that it's unusual for a ffemale to eat right up to six days before depositing her eggs. I would assume that means she ate AFTER her pre-laying shed? (if she didn't shed til after that, then a) she ate while "in shed", which is unusual, AND b) she laid five days or less after her prelaying shed, which is also unusual and more often occurs when slugs are deposited...in my experience, females wait longer--7, usually 8 to 10 days after shedding--when they're going to lay good eggs.

good luck, and let us know the outcome, oh?

terry

The eggs (all 14) have all plumped up nicely. 12 show good blood vessel networks - 2 seem to have only faint traces of vessels but overall look as good as the others. These 14 are still less than 1/2 the size of the clutch of 6 from the smaller female(A). Female(B)ate a full grown mouse every other day for the past 3 months, even when she was opaque. My record keeping this year has been sporatic at best due to a move and the fact that I re-started my collection only 6 months ago. Im up to speed now. Thanks for the replies, -Mark

My blotched king eggs were half the size of my cal king eggs. I wasn't even sure she was gravid. Right after her pre-egg-laying shed she ate a full grown mouse. I figured she wasn't gravid, but kept a laying box in with her. A few days later she presented me with 8 small eggs and one slug. These eggs hatched on day 51 through day 54, and now I have 8 out of 8 gorgeous hatchlings. I think that some snakes will eat whenever, and some snakes will not. Good luck with your clutch.

I'm GLAD all the eggs have hatched... no more egg-watching.

Can't wait until next year's clutches!
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~Sasheena