Gravid radix

[Dan72]

Just an update. Mamma snake ate 3 bigger pinks on Saturday (no problem with this girls appetite). She seems to be doing great. I'm the one getting nervous. Can't wait to see what she has if any. As I'm thinking about it, the plan as you know is to see what she has and if everyone is pretty common radix looking they'll go back to the yard. My questions are these unless you guys with more experience suggest different. If the mother fails to kick out any albinos which would be the most obvious thing to spot and all the babies don't show any signs of being anything other than healthy. Mom will get one more good meal whenever she is ready to eat after birthing and then released. The babies plan since this was to help me get an understanding of what it takes to care for them was going to be this. Raise them long enough to give the ones that live a better shot outside. So I was thinking raise them through till about the middle/end of September and then release so they can brumate normally before winter. OR, should I raise them through the winter and release in spring about middle/end of April? What do you guys think? Of course if this girl gives birth to 1 albino then all bets are off because the wife already agreed to keeping the mom and whatever babies I want because everyone would have to be het to one degree or another, right?

[guidofatherof5]

If any albinos are born then all the normals would be het. Radixes usually don't show any color at birth. After a few sheds color can be seen.
I would suggest keeping the babies until Spring. Releasing them in the Fall gives them a very short time to find a brumation site on top of finding food and predator evasion.
You should also be aware of the weather situation when you release the mom. If we are having one of those heatwaves that can occur at that time it would be best to keep her awhile longer or even do a Spring release.
I will also warn you that working with a group of babies all Fall, Winter and most of the Spring will change you. They will own you and your heart. It's hard to turn them out into the wild after that kind of bonding.
Just my opinion.

[katach]

Come on Steve, you know as soon as those babies arrive he's going to keep every one of them.

[Dan72]

My first thought was to keep everyone thru the winter and release in spring. I just figured it gave the young ones a better fighting chance. Kat I know what Steve says is true and keeping everything will be an issue when spring rolls around and I've become attached to everyone. My wife is the one who will be my reality check on this however. Steph has stated that she is okay with me using this as a learning tool, but she only signed off on Butterscotch and Goldie coming in for good. The mom and X amount of surviving young come spring will be a hard sell come spring if no albinos are present at birth. I have no way to know how all of this will resolve with spring being as far off as it is. But when it gets here if I am having issues with releasing the group into the cruel harsh world I know there are some great snake loving people here that would help find good homes for this group, right.

[Dan72]

As far as getting my ducks in a row and preparing for whats coming, a little help. Best way to keep the group hydrated? I know drying out not getting enough water early is a concern for just born snakes. I was thinking about getting some of that reptile moss that you can keep damp and as a water dish maybe a butter lid with fresh water changes often. Is it better to use like a paper towel substrate or none at all seeing as how many young snakes will be going often? If they shed right at birth or close to it, how soon and often will they shed again? Should I place some small rocks in to help with this? I'm guessing several hides as well? If anyone can direct me to pics of their setups for births or threads that have talked about it or want to share some pics here that would be sweet.

[kimbosaur]

Generally, I think it's best to release them as soon as possible because you don't really know how their time in captivity will affect them/their environment once they are released back into the wild. If you keep them through winter, the most ethical thing you can do is find them new homes (imo).

[EasternGirl]

Just catching up to this thread...so I want to respond to a few things: First, my WC easterns all had to get used to eating pinks...although I would guess that we do have mice around my house outside...since we often find them in our garage...they probably were not used to eating many when they lived out there. I also had to scent pinks with worms...and fish too...to get them to eat anything other than worms. Now, Cee Cee's favorite food is pinky! Second, when Cee Cee was gravid...she had an appetite like a horse. I feed her every 4 days...and more than I would usually feed her. She probably ate about 4 pinkies worth of food a week. As usual, I just watched for a tummy bulge to know she'd had enough. Third, every single one of my snakes has accidently ingested substrate at some point. Not to say that it can't be very dangerous...it certainly can if they don't pass it...but I have never had a snake have issues because of it. I have shredded paper pieces in a couple of my tanks and it easily gets stuck on food...I have had a couple incidences with snakes ingesting it...and I don't worry about that so much as I have also seen the paper get into the water dish and it disintegrates pretty quickly. Aspen is of course more of a concern...but I did see one of my snakes get a little aspen on food the other day...and so far the snake is acting fine and pooping normally. They usually manage to get it off before swallowing the food. Try putting paper towels down over the substrate...even when feeding with hemostats.

[Dan72]

So an update..... moms eyes are showing shed. Pre-birth shed so I'm thinking babies soon, fingers crossed. Should I after the shed move her to a tank or tub with just paper towel? I know how much she has enjoyed the cheapy Wal-Mart version of care fresh to dig and burrow through and I'm thinking the babies when they start coming might be a pain to gather in this substrate. Thoughts. If I did move her just give her the basics, water, hide? I took some pics of her eyes, try to get them up soon.

[katach]

You could move her after the shed. I would put some stuff in there she is used to. If she isn't comfortable or doesn't feel safe she could hold the babies in.

[guidofatherof5]

So an update..... moms eyes are showing shed. Pre-birth shed so I'm thinking babies soon, fingers crossed. Should I after the shed move her to a tank or tub with just paper towel? I know how much she has enjoyed the cheapy Wal-Mart version of care fresh to dig and burrow through and I'm thinking the babies when they start coming might be a pain to gather in this substrate. Thoughts. If I did move her just give her the basics, water, hide? I took some pics of her eyes, try to get them up soon.

I would suggest not moving her. No additional stress at this time.