how long until she lays eggs?

[~Suntiger~]

Ok, so I've had my rat snakes do the deed a few times now...how long approximately will it be before any eggs appear? And how do you suggest that I build a nest box for her to lay them in?

Thanks!!!

[Vanan]

20-30days, 28 on the average in our experience from the time the eggs are noticeable. Just cut a hole in a tupperware lid. Duct tape the edges to make it smooth and place tupperware in enclosure. It' s better if you offer two laying boxes if you have a thermal gradient in your cage (we heat our room). Not the only way to do it, but that's what we do. Good luck! Now begins the neverending wait (for laying and hatching!)!

[Scales Zoo]

28 days?

Ours have been 50 - 60 days, for black rats, corns, and the taiwan.

Ryan

[Tim_Cranwill]

Well, the big sign will be her pre-lay shed. IF she has shed after coming out of brumation once already, her next shed "should" be her pre-lay shed. After THAT shed, she will lay her eggs in 5-12 days (give or take).

You may want to put in a smaller water dish after she sheds so she doesn't choose her dish over the nesting box.

Have you started to think about incubation yet? Ask a lot of questions.

Good luck! Seeing them hatch is a BLAST!!!

[~Suntiger~]

Ok...so far I know that she'll lay sometime between 20 and 60 days (???) That's quite the range! Anyone else care to share their figures???

And Tim, I have started to think about incubating them a bit. I was thinking something to the effect of taking an empty tank and putting some water (with a heater) in it, and having a tupperware with the eggs in it. What should I put in the tupperware for the eggs to sit in? And what temperature should the water be? And what should I cover the entire thing with, is saran wrap ok?

(This is all very new, not to mention unexpected to me as I wasn't planning on breeding them. So if I'm way out in left field, please suggest ANYTHING!!! Thanks!!!)

And oh yes, how long approximately should it take before the little ones hatch?

[gonesnakee]

The thing is that they can store sperm & seem to use it when they are ready. As always we can only speculate from experience. Mark

[JD@reptiles]

my everglades and corns take about 80 days to lay.

Jordan.

[JDouglas]

I agree with Cranwill...
You need to watch for the prelay shed. If she is gravid eventually you will be able to see her fatten up a little in the mid body range and down through the tail. Once you notice this watch for a shed. This will be the pre lay shed and she should lay in 1 -2 weeks after shedding so get a moist laying box ready. Its a little early to know exactly how many days to the day she will lay and you will only get educated and uneducated guesses. Just watch your snake and she will tell you what you need to know.

Good luck!

[JDouglas]

Lastly after they are laid and incubated at 82F-88F they should hatch in about 55-60 days.

Good luck!