Marnie's Snakes

[kibakiba]

If I remember correctly, it took a day or two after the birth for Mama to eat. Once she did start eating, she was ravenous as ever. Much like she is now.

[ConcinusMan]

In this case, the "birth" isn't quite finished. I'd say if she got through it before, she'll probably get through it again. Still, i think i would prevent her from breeding again.

That very old concinnus I was telling you I had did the same thing. Her last successful litter was enormous (53 count). After that, the last 2 attempts were also high count but problematic. She was around 13 at that time. Same problems you're having. I would definitely retire her. Too risky for her.

[EasternGirl]

An hour ago I found a group of three babies all tangled together as if they had been in the same sac...it was very odd. That makes the count up to 30 now. She came out to see me and I see another distinct lump in her abdomen...she must have some more in there to get out. She was gravid when I first found her outside and the second time that she became gravid was accidental on my part because I thought Seeley was female when I put him in with her. I never intentionally bred her. I have no plans to breed her again...Steve is sending me a same sex radix roomie for her next week or the week after. No more lovins for Cee Cee. The plan now is to let her rest, recover from of all this, and try to get her to gain a little weight.

[EasternGirl]

Interestingly, Cee Cee is now up to a count of 32 this time...more than last summer. Now the stillborns are coming out in groups. I'm wondering if these would have been twins or triplets or if it just has to do with the stillborn factor. It seemed as though the group of three I found last night and the group of two that I found this morning were entangled and enclosed in the same sac. She must be nearing the end of this ordeal now. She is still restless though, so it may not be over yet.

The little scrubs are doing well. They ate more worms last night...their favorite meal at this point. They are still very polite when they eat, taking turns to go up to the dish...occasionally one might do a little strike and poke at another...which is very adorable. I have to watch them eat very carefully at this point. Sometimes a little one might take a bite that is too big and I will have to pull it back out of his throat as it will dangle from his mouth and he can't seem to figure out how to get it out or in...lol. It is really a joy looking after the little scrubs...but I must say, as sad as I am for all of the little ones lost...I can't imagine taking care of 32 scrubs! That is a lot of little mouths to feed!!!

[mikem]

Can you see anymore lumps in her belly? Cee Cee will get her weight back up in no time

[ConcinusMan]

I can't imagine taking care of 32 scrubs! That is a lot of little mouths to feed!!!

Try 50. I did that, 2010 season. I've even done 80 before. Yeah, it isn't easy. and that doesn't include all the adults. I can't imagine how Steve keeps up, retired or not.

[EasternGirl]

Okay...she keeps digging and burying stillborns down in the reptibark. She's up to 37 now...good grief Ceecers! I don't see any lumps anymore...but she stills acts restless.

I put some more little fake plants in for the babies and they are having a blast playing on them. They really like it when I mist the plants with water. They are so curious and playful. Two of the babies seem to be inseparable and one is very independent...luckily, as far as I know...since I'm having trouble telling them apart...the inseparable ones seem to be Zeus and Perseus..the ones I am keeping and Ariadne seems to be the independent one, the one I'm giving to Mike. I wouldn't want to separate the ones that are curled up together all the time. They sure love to eat now...and have chubby little tummies to prove it! They have learned the cute little "feed us...we are cute little starving babies...how can you deny us food?" face...that breaks my heart.

Every enclosure needs to be cleaned..and I am trying to figure out when I have time to do all of this! I need to make preparations for the arrival of two radixes and an albino that are being sent to me next week from Steve. Following a quarantine period, the radixes are same sex roomies for Cee Cee and Seeley...no more canoodling for those two..and the albino is going in with Possum and Hermes. So excited for new arrivals!

Possum has apparently been lying under his hide pooping and urinating...nice mess, thank you Possum. He was out exploring and playing all night last night. He was playing peek-a-boo...peeking out upside down from the cool hide...it was so funny! He decided last night that he was going to work all evening to find a way to escape. I think Hermes might be getting ready to shed. I can't believe how big both of them have gotten. I will try to get pics soon. Seeley is doing well...although he keeps getting substrate in his mouth...I have Boxo in his enclosure, which is like Carefresh but smaller. He loves to burrow and make tunnels in it. I'm thinking of switching all the snakes over to bigger aspen shavings that I saw at the pet store. Lots of cleaning and rearranging to do before the new snakes come next Tuesday.

[mikem]

Sounds like Cee Cee should be about finished. That will be a relief for you, I bet! Looking forward to getting Ariadne Can't wait to see your new arrivals! Always enjoy the updates

[InsanePirateDragon]

Awesome news, starting a boy band of albinos it seems.

And where did you get those hanging plants at? They look really neat.

[EasternGirl]

I got the plants at different places...a couple at Petsmart, a couple from a place online Herpsupplies.com. They have a nice selection. I think I got a couple at my local pet store...PetKare. Cee Cee is now up to a total of 40 babies. That is a big litter. She looks so skinny..I have no idea where they are coming from now. But she is still very restless. She must be near the end of this. I bought a new 20 gallon tank...one of the Zilla critter keeper tanks with the slide lock lid...I have been cleaning tanks and moving snakes around all afternoon and evening in preparation for the new arrivals. Cee Cee's tank had to be cleaned too...it was quite gross from all of the birth action going on. Possum and Hermes' enclosure is all nice and clean. I have a clean tank ready for Seeley to be moved into. Leftover tanks will be used for quarantine purposes and a feed tank. The babies are fed and fat and happy...a very productive day!