Black racer and her eggs..pics

[Mom2Four]

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd189/Mom2FourBlessings/racer.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd189/Mom2FourBlessings/racer2.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd189/Mom2FourBlessings/racereggs2.jpg



http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd189/Mom2FourBlessings/racereggs.jpg

So here she is, the way we found her hanging out of the wall. My hubby holding her, the gloves are because she struck several times, and he couldn't get a good hold without getting bit. We had no idea she was laying eggs, until we inspected her after removing her, and saw her cloaca was open, then we removed the rocks and found the 22 eggs. Unfortunately before I could save them the neighbors had squashed one, they intended to squash all of them, but I saved the other 21, all of which are now happily incubating on my porch. :D
My family and friends are ready to have me committed but my children are beyond themselves with excitement. They ask every morning if the snakes have hatched yet. Going to be a LONG 2 months. From what I am reading they have about a 2month incubation period. Does this sound about right? Does anyone know for sure?

[ssssnakeluvr]

nice save...maybe you should tell the neighbors that you are gonna squish their young ones... :p 2 months is about right....

[guidofatherof5]

Wow, You have to keep us updated.
Racers are so cool.
Great save. Thanks for the effort.

[dashnu]

SUPER COOL, In maine those are under special concern. I hope to get out with MIFW for a trip this year to track them!! Cant wait!

[Mom2Four]

I was reading that they were more endangered in the Northeast. Obviously she was not happy about being removed while laying eggs, but if she had hung out long she could have ended up headless. We have relocated 2 large black rat snakes from his property too. He is NOT a snake person. Very terrified.
My hubby's degree is in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and I majored in Biology, so we save what we can. This year we have rescued a blue bird, some baby mocking birds, a baby goat (my bottle baby), several snakes (even the one eating my eggs.. don't blame him, they are good eggs), and Lord only knows what else, (these all just since late March). Some critters we take to local rescues because we do not have the time or necessities to care for them, some we take care of ourselves.

Anyway, I tend to ramble. This forum has been a wealth of information, because before all our snake finds were just relocation endeavors.

I am so excited to learn more about these fascinating creatures and their habits.
Gosh this waiting on the eggs to see if they hatch is going to kill me.. this is worse than my own four pregnancies. LOL

Have a bright and beautiful day

[gregmonsta]

Good luck for the wee eggs :D

[dashnu]

Cool, make sure to keep us updated on those eggs; I am trying to obtain a permit for native species not to easy to do up here :(

[guidofatherof5]

Are you using an incubator?

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Generally our lovely north american colubrids don't need a super high incubation temperature, just keep them somewhere between 76 and 82 at all times, and humid as well, and they should do just fine! I don't use an incubator for my corn and king eggs because it's not necessary. I just stick the egg containers in one of the lighting compartments of my snakeroom. It stays perfect in there. I'm not sure I would keep them outside on your porch, the temps might drop a tad low there. Remember, when the mom snake layed them, she layed them in all that dirt and stuff that is insulated so that the eggs maintain a more constant temperature, so that if the temps drop a bit low at night they will survive it. If they are exposed and one night it gets a little chilly, they won't stand a chance. My black racer eggs last year hatched after 2 month and a few days (don't remember exactly), I incubated them the same way I incubate my kings and corns. I keep the eggs in a small tupperware container that is airtight on moist (but not wet!) paper toweling. I also have another moist paper towel covering the eggs. Just make sure it's not actually WET, because too much moisture will also kill the eggs. The eggs will tell you if it's too dry, within a few hours they will start to have small dents. As long as you quickly add humidity they will go right back up. it's a really good idea to take a non toxic marker or pencil and put a dot at the very top of each egg however it's laying so you know that they are always facing right side up. The eggs CANNOT be rolled over once they are layed, within 24 hours the embryo attatches itself to the inner mebrane of the egg towards the top, and if rolled over, since it's attatched it can't "float" back to the top and will be smothered by the yolk of the egg.

[adamanteus]

Excellent info, Shannon... as ever.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

thanks James :D

I forgot to add though... I do keep the eggs in an airtight container, but I open the container once every 4 or 5 days to peek at the eggs and make sure they still look good, rehydrate if it's too dry in there, and of course, to allow fresh air into the container. The eggs do breathe!!

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks for your post, Shannon.
I've learned somethings I never knew before.

[Snake lover 3-25]

wow awesome!

[Mom2Four]

Generally our lovely north american colubrids don't need a super high incubation temperature, just keep them somewhere between 76 and 82 at all times, and humid as well, and they should do just fine! I don't use an incubator for my corn and king eggs because it's not necessary. I just stick the egg containers in one of the lighting compartments of my snakeroom. It stays perfect in there. I'm not sure I would keep them outside on your porch, the temps might drop a tad low there. Remember, when the mom snake layed them, she layed them in all that dirt and stuff that is insulated so that the eggs maintain a more constant temperature, so that if the temps drop a bit low at night they will survive it. If they are exposed and one night it gets a little chilly, they won't stand a chance. My black racer eggs last year hatched after 2 month and a few days (don't remember exactly), I incubated them the same way I incubate my kings and corns. I keep the eggs in a small tupperware container that is airtight on moist (but not wet!) paper toweling. I also have another moist paper towel covering the eggs. Just make sure it's not actually WET, because too much moisture will also kill the eggs. The eggs will tell you if it's too dry, within a few hours they will start to have small dents. As long as you quickly add humidity they will go right back up. it's a really good idea to take a non toxic marker or pencil and put a dot at the very top of each egg however it's laying so you know that they are always facing right side up. The eggs CANNOT be rolled over once they are layed, within 24 hours the embryo attatches itself to the inner mebrane of the egg towards the top, and if rolled over, since it's attatched it can't "float" back to the top and will be smothered by the yolk of the egg.

Thanks, what a wealth of info. The eggs in the container are about half or more buried in moist sand. I have the sand on top of the moist paper towels, to help maintain the temp. Also have a slightly damp paper towel on top, with dark t-shirt type material over that to keep light out, the container is dark with a clear cover. The thermometer says it is staying above 74 in there even early of the morning before the sun is up. The night time lows here are only 68 to 70 right now at the lowest and the humidity is outrageous. (welcome to the southeast huh? :rolleyes:) I think we have fairly accurately mimicked where the mother had laid them. I am glad you mentioned not rolling them. I knew that about alligator and crocodile eggs, but a friend who hatched snake eggs for a reptile center said they did not think that true for snake eggs. We were not moving them once we made the nest anyway, but the day we added sand was close to the 24 hour mark.. I hope we did not kill any. I will mark the tops so if we do have to move them we won't kill any more.

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! again for all the info.. All of you!! I will keep a close check on the temperature, if the temps are going to drop during the night I will set a heating pad under the container, and keep an eye on the thermometer in the container.

Thanks again to EVERYONE..

:D

[Mom2Four]

thanks James :D

I forgot to add though... I do keep the eggs in an airtight container, but I open the container once every 4 or 5 days to peek at the eggs and make sure they still look good, rehydrate if it's too dry in there, and of course, to allow fresh air into the container. The eggs do breathe!!


I put very teeny tiny holes in the top of the container, it is maintaining moisture very well.. Well the humidity in the air is so high we have not had to rehydrate yet, and I open the container at least once a day just to look and see if they need any hydration, so I think they will get enough air?? What says you?

[CelestiHel]

Wow! That's great. I am filthy with wild garters and milk snakes, but racers are threatened in Vermont. I've always wanted to see one. And ring necks. Maybe I'll go look under rocks tomorrow, I'm inspired.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I put very teeny tiny holes in the top of the container, it is maintaining moisture very well.. Well the humidity in the air is so high we have not had to rehydrate yet, and I open the container at least once a day just to look and see if they need any hydration, so I think they will get enough air?? What says you?

the little holes are enough to maintain air flow. They don't need much air until they hatch and start breathing. They just need oxygen to be contacting the surface of the egg at all times so that the embryo can absorb it through the egg's shell. You will probably have to open the container a few times to add just a little bit of moisture, especially as the eggs get closer to term, they tend to suck up water and they even grow in size a little, then right before they hatch the usually shrivel and discolor slightly a day or two before hand and look like a raisin. This doesn't always happen but often it will. I assume its from the baby snake absorbing the yolk and starting to move around as it cuts the shell but i could be wrong there. Just remember, it is possible for them to take on too much water and that will kill them, so never allow it to be WET in there, or for any water droplets to directly contact the eggs. Watch closely for any mold and if any starts growing, move that egg away from others and gently wipe it clean. Sometimes they will make it, sometimes not. Don't feel bad if a few of the eggs die, I have lost over half my kingsnake clutch I have come from 10 to just 4 eggs (i think the power outage was too much for them).

I'd love to hear from you when they hatch!!! I would love to give a pair of these a home :D