Pre-egg lay shed q

mykee · 06-06-04, 05:12 PM

Ok, I'm perplexed. I have one female who is very clearly gravid, and had her pre-egg lay shed 32 days ago. Cool enough. Since that time, she has been eating me out of house and home, easily doubling the amount of food she normally eats. I've not seen this with my other gravid females, they have all stayed on fast until egg deposition. Is this uncommon? Should I worry?

BoidKeeper · 06-06-04, 06:27 PM

This isn't in the ball forum but am I to assume we're talking about balls here? If so, I hope she proves me wrong but I don't think she is gravid if she is eating like that and it has been 32 days since her shed. If you suspect that she may be egg bound I would take her to a vet for an ultrasound and then maybe an injection to induce her.
Keep us posted,
Trevor

mykee · 06-06-04, 10:04 PM

Trevor, yes, I'm talking about my ball.

Jeff_Favelle · 06-06-04, 10:57 PM

I doubt she'd eat more than once (if that) if the snake was truly gravid. Actually, I wouldn't even attempt to feed a gravid snake. They are literally HUGE when they are gravid (have you seen the SIZE of Ball eggs????) so adding food to that equation just isn't really possible. I've had one take a meal after PLS, but that was the only one and that was 8 years ago when I didn't know what I was doing, LOL!

Keep us updated though. I'd be very interested to know if that snake lays eggs!

Stockwell · 06-06-04, 11:20 PM

Mykee, they binge feed when developing follicles in preparation for ovulation. this is generally in Dec to Feb, but it could occur later depending on cooling regimen. Is it possible she hasn't yet ovulated, and is building up for it??
Gravid females rarely eat much if at all when close to ovaposition.

mykee · 06-07-04, 09:29 AM

I may be mistaken then, as all of my other females who were bred this year, have either given me eggs, (3 clutches) or about to (1 more). I could have sworn that I saw her ovulate a while back but it just may have been wishful thinking. Thanks guys.