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Q: Detecting if my Corn is Gravid
Posted By:

anjeanettecorns28

In Relation To:

[Normal- het anery, het amel, het hypo]

How long does it on average take to notice if a corn snake is actaully gravid? It's been 21 days since my male Kasper and female Zoe accidentally mated on Dec.21 and on Dec 22 I put them together on purpose and they mated again.

 

I can feel a difference in her weight but don't really see a visual difference yet. Is this because it's too early or does that mean she's most likely not gravid? Do females usually wait until the last week or so before they really show that they are gravid or should they show sooner? Thanks for any help.

 

 Also she has been much more active in the last two days then she usually is and I've tried to feed her since she shed just a few days ago, and she won't eat for me. Is this normal or should she be more willing to feed?


Points: 0
Topics: Copulation , Ovulation
Tags: Behavior, Breeding, Cornsnake, Elaphe, Gravid, Guttata, Signs
Species: Other Colubrids > Other Colubrids > Elaphe guttata guttata
Administrative: Show/Hide

Member Comment 1/10/2011 11:47:10 PM

ScalesGoneWild

Usually, when a female is gravid they eat a LOT up until their pre-lay shed.

It's possible that her recent shed was a pre-lay shed, and now she's not eating because of that.

Visible signs she may be gravid are her having a "peaked" look to her spine, as it's called. And on some light colored snakes, you can sometimes see the eggs. Another sign is obvious fattening on the lower third of her body.

I would suggest getting an incubator ready just in case. You may have a bunch of little kiddos' here soon. :)

 
Member Comment 1/10/2011 11:53:43 PM

ScalesGoneWild

Would it be possible for you to take and post some updated pictures of her? :)

 
Author Comment 1/11/2011 1:00:12 AM

anjeanettecorns28

Yeah, I can take and update pics tomorrow sometime.

 
Author Comment 1/11/2011 1:25:18 AM

anjeanettecorns28

I just put a home made nest box inside Zoe's enclosure with spanghum moss and she went straight into it without hesitation. Maybe she's been wanting to lay her eggs for the past couple of days and I didn't even realize she could so soon....

 
Author Comment 1/11/2011 1:52:28 AM

anjeanettecorns28

I think she is laying her eggs! Is that possible? Gosh, it really seems to early I wonder if that means there won't be any viable eggs if she really is laying right now...it sure does sound like she is.

 
Author Comment 1/11/2011 4:45:55 AM

anjeanettecorns28

Has not layed eggs yet, and goes in and out of the nest box.  Should I keep it in her enclosure or take it out?

 

 
Member Comment 1/11/2011 6:37:25 AM

FyreFocks

Given that this time of year isnt normally breeding season for them, she probably hadnt even developed follicles during the time of copulation, so its doubtful that shes beyond ovulation and about to lay right now. However, both follicle development and ovulation will prevent a female from taking food. I stop feeding mine once i notice ovulation though, so i cant comment on their eating habits during "pregnancy".

If you cant see the difference then its doubtful that shes got a huge pile in her right now. Youll know without a doubt when she becomes gravid.

 
Member Comment 1/11/2011 12:46:17 PM

shellboa

It does no harm to leave the lay box in there and have an incubator ready. When we artificially mimic their seasons they can breed and produce at any time. Keep an eye on her and the box because it doesn't take long for eggs to dry out.

 
Author Comment 1/13/2011 6:28:55 PM

anjeanettecorns28

I am starting to notice a difference in the middle to end of her she feels heavier to me and now I am seeing a slight difference as well visually.  I've also noticed that she's not using her hide anymore but stays very active or stays stretched out in the open is that normal for a gravid corn snake to do? I've taken the lay box out for now because I feel it's too early and it takes to much space up in her enclosure. so I will wait a few more days before I put it back in there. One more thing is that I don't have a incubator ready here at all. I've got a container I can use and have spangum moss inside it's just not heated yet. Do you think a tin can with a tin lid would surfice for a incubator? it's one of those christmas popcorn tin containers and I washed it out very well. Not sure how well it would hold humdity and temps though? Any sugestions on home made icubators would be helpful. Thanks.

 
Author Comment 1/13/2011 6:30:34 PM

anjeanettecorns28

And does any one know here on average how many days before corns lay there eggs so I can be more prepared and have the incubator set up and ready for them when the time does come?  Thanks.

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