Gravid radix

[Dan72]

So yesterday I mowed the yard, while checking the many hides setup around the yard I came across a gravid?? (think I'm right) female. At first I didn't even notice the gravid situation, I was looking at her because she seems to have the exact coloring of what Goldie would look like as an adult. Then I noticed gravid. Now two things immediately crossed my mind. Let her go and hope she stays in the yard to see what becomes of the litter. Or, take her in and help her along until the litter arrives and see what she has. Now I know members on here will fall on either side of the fence on this one, but let me first say that this would not even be a issue I would have dealt with 2 months ago. BUt knowing that my albino had to come from somewhere last year, the chance that this could be the gal is soooo tempting. Now if nothing comes of the litter but some healthy looking snakes then everybody goes right back into the yard where they would have been anyway. I don't want to miss a chance to see this happen for myself without being on youtube. If mom and babies (fingers crossed) end up getting free room and board out of me and nothing else comes of it then so be it. But if she ends up tossing out an albino or two then we might have a different bridge to cross. I'll worry about any and all of that later. First thing is to get her settled in, happy, and babies, then go from there. I want to use this as a learnning oppurtunity and gain something from this experience. Pics were taken in plenty yesterday so I'll get them posted just as soon as I can. This will be the thread through this experience where I'll ask questions as they arrise and I hope that you guys will do what you do best and help out with any addvice and/or encouraging words. Again for anyone that may think I'm doing the wrong thing here, I look at the situation this way. Released she would be on her own to let nature do what it will. Inside she'll get a solid roof over her head, meals in her belly, and the babies get a better shot (I feel) at making it past day 1, week 1, month 1. Everyone on here learned all they know through trial and error, researching, picking more experienced members brains, so on and so forth. I hope to do all those things through this. Pics soon.

[guidofatherof5]

You have covered a lot of issues and seem to have a plan in place.
Looking forward to seeing some photos. Photos of radixes are awesome but gravid radixes are even better.

[Dan72]

You have covered a lot of issues and seem to have a plan in place.
Looking forward to seeing some photos. Photos of radixes are awesome but gravid radixes are even better.

Thanks Steve, you and Mark might bear the brunt of my inexperience in this. I spoke with Mark yesterday and he welcomed me to call anytime with any questions or concerns. I'm really excited and looking forward to everything this experience will offer. She is a beauty.

[chris-uk]

It looks like you have a solid plan and reasoning behind taking this gravid female in. I hope she settles in nicely, and that you're lucky enough to have found the mother of your albino, and that she mated with a het albino male again.

[Dan72]

Yeah, who knows Chris? This for me is trying to absorb as much of this hobby as possible within the means I have available right now. My backyard has always been an available resource that until I found the albino this year I never really cared to enjoy but from afar. Now it seems a little more personal and I really want to learn as much as possible. If and when that can be gained by whats right at your back door I feel I'd be silly not to take advantage of it.

[Dan72]

Here are some of the pics. When I first picked her up, she let me have it pretty good so in the one photo of her vent area, did that come out because she's gravid and as big as she is? Once she calmed down, everything went back to its appropriate place. Good looking snake. As you can tell from the photo, at some point in her life, she lost the back end of her tail. Might put some more pics up later but will definitely catalog this process with photos from time to time as I make my updates.

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[guidofatherof5]

Possibly gravid. The next 30-40 days should tell.

[chris-uk]

With respect to the vent - has she been musking a lot? One of mine used to musk with such force that it prolapsed slightly and went straight back into place when she calmed down.

[Dan72]

With respect to the vent - has she been musking a lot? One of mine used to musk with such force that it prolapsed slightly and went straight back into place when she calmed down.

Chris I don't know who/what, or how often she was musking before I found her. But when I found her she did musk me pretty darn good, so yes I think that is what is going on in the photo of the vent area. After she calmed down everything went back to normal. As far as a gravid garter goes should they be treated with any special instructions in mind? Don't handle any more than needed, anything like that? I just wonderd how delicate a situation a snakes pregnancy is.

[chris-uk]

Steve's your best man for gravid radix advice. I don't think they are particularly delicate when gravid though, the more significant thing with this girl will be her move to captivity. She'll need time to settle, once she's settled in you will have a better idea as to how much contact she accepts. Given you may return her to the wild I'd minimise handling.