Why all the infertile eggs?

[Sean_.E.]

Well, my african house snake layed her eggs on the weekend. Unfortunately, only one out of the twelve eggs is fertile. Last year, which was her first year breeding, I had the same problem; she layed thirteen infertile eggs. Does anyone know why this may be happening?

[gonesnakee]

Did you brumate both her & the male? Is he sexually mature or just a young one too? How many times were they put tgether for breeding? Was actual breeding observed or evidence of? There are many reasons such as possibly not being brumated properly? Maybe his goo just isn't very good? Maybe there was not enough successful copulations? Make sure they are both brumated properly & put together for breeding multiple times, say every second day for a month or so starting right after a day or 2 after their first post brumation meals. She's laying the eggs so its a getting them fertilized problem. I would reccomend keeping them on papertowels when breeding also so one can see evidence of copulations if you don't actually see it happen. How is his size Vs hers. Sometimes a smaller male will be too intimidated by a larger female to breed. Another thing is maybe you are not breeding them early enough. Possible that you are just too late for successful fertilization. Mark

[lolaophidia]

I had the same problem with my female AHS, but there were 3 clutches total and all were infertile. I don't know what the cause was, and during the last clutch she became egg bound (requiring a trip to the vet) so no more breeding for her. It's possible that the male is a dud. Not knocking his willingness, but if he's participating and she's still producing duds, you have to consider it.

You could try cooling the pair if you haven't brumated them and see if that generates more fertility.

Dang Gonesnakee, you hit the post button a second before I did.

Sorry for the repetative post there.

[Sean_.E.]

Did you brumate both her & the male?
No, I have read and been told that African house snakes usually breed (extremely) sucessfully without being brumated. Maybe I'll try that next season.

Is he sexually mature or just a young one too?
He's definately sexually mature. I bought him as an adult and have had him for a couple years now.

Was actual breeding observed or evidence of?
Yes, on two occasions.

How many times were they put together for breeding?
Not exactly sure, several times. I left the male in with the female for about a week on two occasions and also put them together for shorter periods of time.

Not knocking his willingness, but if he's participating and she's still producing duds, you have to consider it.

Haha, he certainly is willing! I think I'll try brumating them next year and see what happens. For now, at least I have the one fertile egg!:P

Thanks for the help,
Sean

[gonesnakee]

Good Luck Sean, Cheers Mark