gravid snake

[brigitte]

does anyone know if there are tell tale signs of a snake getting ready to have babies? I have a gravid female and she's acting funny today, out of her character. She's been very solitary and doesn't want to eat, and today she is wandering all over the cage like she's looking for something.

[crzy_kevo]

sounds like she is looking for a spot to give birth especially since she is not eating
lets see what the other members suggest to do im waiting for my gravid girl to give birth too

[adamanteus]

Have you provided a 'birthing box'? A close space, with moist substrate such as damp paper towels or moss?

[Lulu Bennett]

James, i never provided a birthing box. i never know when she was going to drop.

[brigitte]

yes, i have just in case she is getting ready to give birth. But is it typical to behave oddly right before birth?

[adamanteus]

I don't know if there is a 'typical'. But odd behaviour might well mean she's imminent.

[brigitte]

thanks, I guess time will tell. Also, does the whole laboring process take very long?

[adamanteus]

Good luck, Brigitte. We'll look forward to hearing how many babies you get!

[crzy_kevo]

lol he didn't answer the question :D

[crzy_kevo]

i guess it would depend on how many babies are born mainly obviously the more babies means it will take longer

[adamanteus]

Well, 'labour' is hard to measure in a snake... she won't tell you she's started... she might be in labour right now. How would you know?

[brigitte]

does that mean we wont hear her having labour pains

[Lulu Bennett]

haha you best be glad of that. i believe labour turns a woman into the devil so i was quite happy not going near my snakes lol

[adamanteus]

She won't be asking for hot towels!

[Sid]

Brigitte, from my experience, it sounds like she is getting close, but as James said "it's hard to tell". My Eastern that just gave birth never quit feeding and did not start unusual behavior. The Puget that gave birth recently refused a meal and started roaming every where, which is more the norm, at least for the feeding part.

[infernalis]

That eastern (Diana) that just had her litter never stopped eating, and one morning I woke up and there the babies were......:D

I maintained an artificial hollow log in her cage, inside it was coconut eco earth, kept slightly moistened.

The stillborn was in the log, so I assume she went in there to deliver.

[brigitte]

well she had 7 babys today about 3:00 pm central time one already ate some nightcrawler pieces they all seem to be doing well.i will get some pics of them on here in a little while

[jitami]

Aw, Congratulations Grandma Brigitte! Can't wait to see the pics!

[GartersRock]

Well cool! Congrats!

[brigitte]

here are the pics

[crzy_kevo]

congrats brigitte

[ssssnakeluvr]

congrats!!!! got 4 gravid girls here....just playing the waiting game......:( the gray one with the odd pattern has a while left...she bred late this spring.....kinda surprised that she is gravid!!!!! :D

[GartersRock]

Don, how big do wanderings get when they are gravid? Not as big as sirtalis right?

[brigitte]

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/merrill7373/100_0492.jpg

[ssssnakeluvr]

not quite....most are noticeable...I have had one or 2 that don't show much.... wanderings have small litters...good sized adults average 12-13 babies...large babies too!!!

[brigitte]

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/merrill7373/100_0491.jpg

[brigitte]

sorry i cant figure out how to make the pics bigger

[crzy_kevo]

can you post the pics bigger can't see their colors :D

[crzy_kevo]

i put my pics on image shack and choose the size i want them

[Kevin_is_a_herper12]

Little cuties...is the mom captive bred?

[brigitte]

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/merrill7373/100_0495.jpg

[brigitte]

kinda blurry but im gettin closer

[brigitte]

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/merrill7373/100_0496.jpg

[brigitte]

sorry i have a terrible camera and am not very computer literate

[count dewclaw]

Congratulations for the babies!

[anji1971]

Aww, congrats on the babies! You didn't have to wait long after all!:)

[Garter_Gertie]

Did I miss ths in earlier posts?

Why are not letting her go? For what reason(s) are you keeping her? It would be best for her and her babies if you took her back to where you found her and let her go...

[brigitte]

we are letting her go and the babies