| THE LAB STEPS Step 4 Egg Laying |
February 15 , 2006 - We are still in the waiting period of seeing whether or not eggs were fertilized in the females. Both female
snakes are appearing more distended as you can see from the pictures above which is a sign of being Gravid ( egg filled). The
pre-egg laying shed should take place within a few weeks . We will put egg laying boxes in the enclosures now to help with
moisture for shed as well. The boxes will be sterilite containers filled with moist sphagnum moss or vermiculite and will have
holes cut in the lids for the snakes access to the container.
February 18th- Took the pictures below
Rosie is in her "blue" phase meaning she is
going to shed soon. She is laying in her
egg-laying box which has moist sphagnum
moss in it. This is called her pre-egg laying
shed
going to shed soon. She is laying in her
egg-laying box which has moist sphagnum
moss in it. This is called her pre-egg laying
shed
Ginger is not as close to shedding, but likes
to stay in her laying box. Due to her
coloration not being as bright as Rosie's,
her pre-shed color change is not as
physically noticeable but will be coming
soon.
to stay in her laying box. Due to her
coloration not being as bright as Rosie's,
her pre-shed color change is not as
physically noticeable but will be coming
soon.
The boxes are kept in the snakes
enclosure with the a lid on it and a
small hole cut out in middle for
entry. This provides moisture and a
better sense of security for the
female.
enclosure with the a lid on it and a
small hole cut out in middle for
entry. This provides moisture and a
better sense of security for the
female.
February 24 , 2006 - Rosie Shed last night. She will start moving in and out of her lay box till she settles down to lay her
eggs. It is not known exactly how many eggs are in her but is suspected to be approximately 5. The normal time period to laying
is 6-14 days after the pre-lay shed. Ginger is getting closer to shed and more distended every day. Her respiratory Issues have
stabilized and she is no longer on medication.
In preparation for the arrival of eggs soon, the incubator has been set up and containers with the moistened vermiculite have been
prepared and put in the Incubator. This will allow the Incubator, containers and substrate to already be at the desired consistent
temperature of about 82 degrees. This year we are using a Hovabator Incubator and a thermostat to control temperature
fluctuations.
March 1, 2006 - Still in a wait for the eggs to be laid by Rosie. She is moving in and out of her lay box and is showing signs of
being gravid. Ginger has not shed yet but is continually growing in size in the rear third of her body!
March 9, 2006 - There are still no eggs laid by Rosie. She has not increased in size during the last week but has continued to
take small meals. She continues to move in and out of her lay box. There could be several causes for her not laying eggs yet but it
is only day 14 and so nothing will be looked into until the 18th day which is when she would be considered "past due".
Could Ginger beat her to it? Only time will tell. Ginger is becoming opaque which is a sign of her getting ready to shed. She is
continuing to increase in size as well.
March 13th, 2006 - Rosie has not laid her eggs. She is spending more time out of her box than in. She is active and eating well but
if she does not lay eggs this week she will be taken to a veterinary reptile specialist to be examined.
Ginger had her pre-lay shed last night! She continues to grow in girth in the second half of her body. Eggs can be felt inside of her.
The count down of 6-14 days till egg laying starts for her now.
Are we ready to predict the offspring?
Ginger is an albino California King, so we would label her "aa" and Pigpen, her mate, is a Banana California King that is Het for
albino so we will label him "Aa" ? Using the information on the genetics page can you create a Punnett square that will determine
what percentage of her offspring will be albinos ( aa) and how many will be regular looking but het for albinos?
March 17, 2006 - Rosie was taken to Olathe Animal Hospital today and seen by Dr. JC Burcham, who examined and took
x-rays of Rosie . The x-rays showed no fertilized eggs within her , so the egg follicles that she produced in ovulation apparently
were not fertilized through copulation and were reabsorbed by her body. In summary Rosie will not be laying eggs . We
appreciate the assistance of Dr. Burcham. The service at Olathe Animal Hospital was wonderful and we will start using their
facilities for all of our veterinary needs.
Its all up to Ginger now. Ginger is moving in and out of her lay box. She is VERY distended with eggs. She has continued to take
small size meals . She had her pre-lay shed on March 13th so the eggs are expected between March 19th and March 25th. The
incubator is set at 82 degrees and 90% humidity.
Have you figured out what the expected traits of the hatchlings will be yet?
| Albino California King X Banana ( high Yellow) California King that is Het for Albino |
