found snake eggs??

[MSMARIE]

I work at a landscaping store and in the brown mulch we found about 15 white eggs. they are about 2 inches in length and look like a white capsule. They shells are still soft so it must have been freshly laid eggs. Someone said a turtle, but when we cracked one open, there were two black eggs and a long slimy thing! can you help us identify the snake. Western Pennsylvania. THanks. Mare

[Chu'Wuti]

Well, there are lots of species of snakes in PA. Pics might help, but until the snake is fully developed, it will be quite difficult to tell the species for sure. Are you incubating the eggs? Could be quite a fun adventure!

Welcome to the forum!

[gonesnakee]

They were not freshly laid if they were developed enough to tell it was a snake.
You could incubate them but not knowing the species could prove to be interesting.
You would have to research your native Herps & make sure there is no risk of them being venomous (unlikely).
Rattlesnakes BTW don't lay eggs so there is no worries there.
Not sure of the natural range of Coral Snakes etc. but maybe you can find some local snake folks to help you out if you decide to incubate rather than just toss them, Mark

[Chu'Wuti]

Coral snakes live much farther south, and they are the only egg-laying venomous snakes found in the U.S., so Marie doesn't have to worry about hatching out venomous snakes if she did decide to incubate the eggs.

Both copperheads and cottonmouths are live-bearers like the rattlesnakes.

[gonesnakee]

Yeah I was not positive thus why I stated "unlikely".
So incubate away & see what the surprises will be? Mark

[Chu'Wuti]

Yeah--wouldn't it be fun?! Of course, she may not have wanted to do that . . .

Wish I'd been there when they found the eggs! ;)