Gopher Surprise!

[RcRob]

Have had my gopher for about 2 years now. It has never come into contact with any other snake, or has never left my home since I got it. What in the Lord's name is this that has appeared in its cage. There is only one of these things in there... About 3 inches long and the snake is moving it around. However, my snake was not defensive when I took it out of the cage, so that I could snap these photos.

[RcRob]

Okay, so 4 more eggs have been layed.

One is relatively hard, but discolored. Others are fairly squishy, only one does not have some sort of discoloration.

My question is now, how can I determine if these are infertile eggs (my snake has not layed eggs in all ~3 years I've had her) or if she stored sperm from a long time ago? I'm sure it's more likely that they're infertile, but I want to make sure of it so that I don't throw away what could be nice babies.

[lady_bug87]

if the snake has never come into contact with another snake I'm pretty sure they're infertile... snakes don't usually breed asexually....

[Wildside]

Immaculate Gophers :D

[RcRob]

if the snake has never come into contact with another snake I'm pretty sure they're infertile... snakes don't usually breed asexually....

I caught it ~3 years ago, have you ever heard of one retaining male DNA for that long?

[lady_bug87]

If it was retained sperm she would have used it the season she copulated or the one after (from the best of my knowledge someone correct me if I am wrong)

I have no (current) knowledge of a snake holding sperm for 3 years. Breeding is completely instinctual its not like she was holding out for the right sized hide or a better HMO

[knox]

That looks like a slug to me

[jaleely]

I've heard you can shine light behind them to see veins...is this correct breeders?
Usually slugs look just like they sound, unfertile and hard, or slug like.

[UwabamiReptiles]

From my understanding, snakes that retain sperm will only retain that sperm for a year tops. Three years would be too long to retain anything. Melissa is right, you can candle the eggs and see if there are any veins present.

[MrBD1980]

I may be wrong but I thought I had heard a story of a ?rattler? That was wild caught and kept in isolation in a collection who nearly five years later laid some fertile eggs....could be wrong though...I'll see if I can find the article...

Brian

[MrBD1980]

Found this.....may be interesting and relevant?

Bring You News (http://meetkhmer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/curious-about-snakes-virgin-birth.html)

Brian

[Roadtrash]

I looked at that story and it said that the rattlesnake laid 19 eggs. Every rattlesnake I've ever been around had live young. But I'm no expert so maybe some of them do lay eggs.

[alessia55]

Found this.....may be interesting and relevant?

Bring You News (http://meetkhmer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/curious-about-snakes-virgin-birth.html)

Brian

That article has some spelling and grammar issues, and rattlesnakes don't lay eggs :p but wouldn't that be awesome if the story were real? :D

Also I keep reading that rattlesnakes don't reach sexual maturity until 2-3 years old, so it would be unlikely that it mates before it's first birthday (an therefore before captivity).

To the OP, have you candles the eggs yet?

[MrBD1980]

^^^^

Thanks for correcting the poor info

Apologies to the OP for unhelpful info.....

<goes off to stand in the dunce's corner facing the wall>

:-)

Brian

[Wildside]

Found this.....may be interesting and relevant?

Bring You News (http://meetkhmer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/curious-about-snakes-virgin-birth.html)

Brian

http://www.gagful.com/uploads/2011_12/1324442822_Blah_Youve_Got_Trolled_gag.jpg