Haz'z garters

[ConcinusMan]

All I know is they swell up quite a bit in a very short time during that first 30 days, and then shed. After they have the babies at around 90 days, they go into shed again. Generally this is how it goes, but I know that they always end up needing to shed at some point during the pregnancy and I know that can happen at any time during the 90 days. Occasionally, they will shed twice during the pregnancy or go into shed and be opaque during the delivery. The rest of the year, it's back to the usual 3-5 months shedding frequency for large adults.

[HazAnga]

Here's an updated pic on Helga, just wondering, I know she's eating but she still looks big... again, could she be gravid again... it's almost been 7 weeks since she had the babies, how long after laying can she become gravid again...?


And Another thing, i measured Tina's tail (from the vent to the tip) it's pretty long for a girl... 5-1/2" is that normal, i thought the males were supposed to have the long tails?

[guidofatherof5]

I don't know much about Checkereds but I think 7 weeks isn't enough time to develop a chain of new eggs.

I never use tail length as a sexing rule.
Too unreliable.
In my opinion.

[kibakiba]

Tail length is very unreliable. Mama has a long thin tail, but Ember does too. Snap has a short thin tail, and Thumbelina (male) does too.

[HazAnga]

I figured enough. But Steve she's gotten really big all of a sudden.

[guidofatherof5]

I figured enough. But Steve she's gotten really big all of a sudden.

I would keep a close eye on her.
I agree she looks gravid but it's not likely she is.
Might want to get her to the Vet. for a check up.
Retained eggs, intestinal infection, etc.
Keep us posted on her.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

try palpating her. As you are handling her, wait until you can feel her muscles are loose and in a relaxed state. Allow her to crawl forward onto something while letting her glide through your hand, through the space between your thumb and index finger. With your thumb on her back and your index finger under her belly, apply very gentle even pressure upwards with your index finger cupped around her underbelly as she glides through your hand. She has to be relaxed and moving forward in a steady motion for it to work or she will be too tense to feel anything. It usually just takes a few tries, but if you do it right you'll be able to feel a distinct little "bump bump bump bump" in her lower abdomen as she is moving forward. If you can't feel that, then she's likely not gravid, especially if you think she's already showing a bit. If you can feel that... it's not poop you are feeling

[HazAnga]

she only just started looking bigger, like she was still kinda small until i looked at her the other day.

EDIT:
I just did as you said to do Shannon and I don't feel anything. She seems perfectly fine, and she is a big girl either way... maybe she's got her regular body back, getting ready for next year... idk, but yes Steve I'll be keeping a good eye on her to make sure nothing's wrong.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

yea... I see no reason for a vet visit... appears to be a perfectly healthy snake! she doesn't look swollen or bloated to me... probably just gained her weight back!

[ConcinusMan]

you'll be able to feel a distinct little "bump bump bump bump" in her lower abdomen as she is moving forward.

The only problem with that is, I have, and can often feel that when I know darn well the girl isn't gravid. That big anery female I sent to you, for example. I've always been able to feel that string of bumps when I hold her and yet... not gravid. And with my very gravid females (late stage) I can't feel a dang thing except it feels very heavy and "squishy" like they're filled with water.