Quick Question

[Elliot]

Is there any way to tell that a snake is gravid besides looks? And if I want to find out by looking, what do I look for?

[GarterGuy]

Your only other option besides looking would be to possibly see if you can "feel" the embryo's with in her, but this usually only works with a snake that's really far along. Besides that, your only other option would be an ultra sound and I'm not sure they can even do that with as small an animals as a garter (I've seen them used for anacondas before!). As far as looks, you garter will be noticely heavier, but most of the weight will be carried further back on her body....say perhaps a third of the way up from the cloaca. Hope this helps.

Roy

[Elliot]

Your only other option besides looking would be to possibly see if you can "feel" the embryo's with in her, but this usually only works with a snake that's really far along. Besides that, your only other option would be an ultra sound and I'm not sure they can even do that with as small an animals as a garter (I've seen them used for anacondas before!). As far as looks, you garter will be noticely heavier, but most of the weight will be carried further back on her body....say perhaps a third of the way up from the cloaca. Hope this helps.

Roy

Thanks Roy, I'm starting to think she isn't, she's a ribbon snake so any change in girth would be pretty noticable.