mourning surprise birth

[Selkielass]

Abby, who I have had since she was a 13 inched immune 2010 was laying à big clutch of jellybeans last night. At bedtime, she wasstill out of sorts, so I decided to clean up in the morning.
When I did so, I found a single hatchling dead inside the hide.
damn. I feel horrible.
Abby either retained sperm for two years or her roommate Ziva is the ultimate female impersonator. (Could a male checkered get over 30 inches long at two?)

Will post pics of jelly mess and dead baby when I can get to library.

[guidofatherof5]

Sorry to hear about the loss.

How's Abby doing?

[katach]

Sorry for the bad news.

[Selkielass]

Abby is doing fine- she devoured two pinky ràts and would have eaten more if given the chance. I've got new quarters half set up for Zevon the giant drag queen, but I need clips- he is a lid pusher.

[EasternGirl]

I'm so sorry for the loss...but lol at calling Zevon the giant drag queen. Glad to hear Abby is doing fine.

[Selkielass]

I'm so sorry for the loss...but lol at calling Zevon the giant drag queen. Glad to hear Abby is doing fine.

I say that with the greatest possible affection; he is statuesque, flamboyant, outgoing and theatrical.
I just *wish* he had no interest in ladies. I didn't witness any evidence of interest. Untill yesterday.

[RicMartin]

Sorry to hear. Glad Abby is OK.

[Selkielass]

Picspam!
Here is the mess I found under the hide. (Battery included for scale.)
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC00002.JPG (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10547&title=mourning&cat=500)

Looks kinda checkered to me

http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC00005.JPG (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10548&title=mourning&cat=500)

Belly shot; http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/thumbs/DSC000061.JPG (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10549&title=mourning&cat=500)

The daddy;
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC00008.jpg (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10550&title=mourning&cat=500)

Now that he has lost some weight, I've seen a few more mature male snakes, and I'm really looking, I can see it.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/DSC00010.JPG (http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/showphoto.php?photo=10551&title=mourning&cat=500)

[EasternGirl]

Yep...he looks male to me. He is a big albino checkered...I wonder if Hermes will ever get that big. What kind of snake is Abby? That baby looks like an eastern to me. Oh...wait...I just looked at your signature...is Abby your Radix? It could look like a radix too...I always think radixes look like easterns.

[Selkielass]

Abby is an Eastern (Oakland County MI.) Zevon is a Checkered and well over 30 inches long. My other snakes are local Butlers garter snakes.
I don't have any Radix (yet) but I'm a big fan of Steves ranch crew- I got to meet them last summer while visiting the area. Sweet gals.

[guidofatherof5]

Can't say I've ever seen a Checkered male that big.

[EasternGirl]

Oh...I just realized I was looking at the wrong signature :rolleyes:. Well, that would explain that baby looking like an eastern then.

[katach]

Very sorry for the loss. Was this an accidental breeding?

[Selkielass]

Totally Unexpected. No brumation. The parents are my big, fat, spoiled living room lap snakes. Zev does not look or act like any other male garter I've met.

[RicMartin]

There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio...