3-26-07 UPDATE: at the end of February, The two pair of Rat snakes were each put together 3-4 times for
copulation over a two week period. After the 4th time both females were resistant to the male and they
were separated for the rest of the season.
The females have each been given a container with moist sphagnum moss to use as a lay box. They will
also use this box to increase humidity for there sheds. As the females get closer to laying they will spend
more time in this box if they feel it is a suitable laying place.
The females are being weighed weekly as well as being watched closely. As the eggs develop within the
female she will become distended in the rear third of her body and will round out. She will generally stop
eating during this time so it is important that she was well fed before mating season.
The Whitesided female shed on 3-25 and the Albino female shed on 3-22. Normally eggs are laid 35-45 days
after fertilization takes place and precedes a pre-laying shed. It has been 4 weeks since their mating so
this could be considered a pre-laying shed, however, both of these females bred early in the season and
never had a post brumation shed before being paired with males. Thus, it is expected that more time will
pass before their gestation period is finished , and eggs are laid.
3 -3-07 Albino Rat snake laid 10 eggs. All are fertile.
4-5-07 Whitesided Rat snake laid 11 eggs. All are fertile
4-10 UPDATE: All eggs from the two snakes are in containers filled with Vermiculite and Moss on top. The
containers are being incubated a variable temp range from 77 to 84 degrees. The expected incubation
period is approximately 6 weeks. The albino Banana also laid 10 good eggs on April 8th. All the breeder
females were given water and a small meal immediately after laying and have continued to eat small meals
every two to three days to build back up their strength and regain some weight. Each female lost an
average of 300 grams in weight with the laying of their eggs.
5-5 UPDATE: All the eggs are doing well in the incubator and the females have resumed to a normal
feeding schedule. The eggs are checked each week for proper humidity and temperature .
6-5 UPDATE: The Rat snake eggs have hatched and 21 new hatchlings are each now living in their own
seperate containers and have shed and are eating. Have you studied the Punnet square yet?
Can you decide what the offspring's genetic traits would be from the pairings we have followed? How
about the pairings listed below for some of other snakes such as the California kings?
Just to remind you some of the pairings were;
albino rat x albino rat
leucistic rat x whiteside rat
banana Cal regular het for albino x banana albino cal
grayband reg x grayband reg
Tangerine albino Honduran x Regular Het for Albino
copulation over a two week period. After the 4th time both females were resistant to the male and they
were separated for the rest of the season.
The females have each been given a container with moist sphagnum moss to use as a lay box. They will
also use this box to increase humidity for there sheds. As the females get closer to laying they will spend
more time in this box if they feel it is a suitable laying place.
The females are being weighed weekly as well as being watched closely. As the eggs develop within the
female she will become distended in the rear third of her body and will round out. She will generally stop
eating during this time so it is important that she was well fed before mating season.
The Whitesided female shed on 3-25 and the Albino female shed on 3-22. Normally eggs are laid 35-45 days
after fertilization takes place and precedes a pre-laying shed. It has been 4 weeks since their mating so
this could be considered a pre-laying shed, however, both of these females bred early in the season and
never had a post brumation shed before being paired with males. Thus, it is expected that more time will
pass before their gestation period is finished , and eggs are laid.
3 -3-07 Albino Rat snake laid 10 eggs. All are fertile.
4-5-07 Whitesided Rat snake laid 11 eggs. All are fertile
4-10 UPDATE: All eggs from the two snakes are in containers filled with Vermiculite and Moss on top. The
containers are being incubated a variable temp range from 77 to 84 degrees. The expected incubation
period is approximately 6 weeks. The albino Banana also laid 10 good eggs on April 8th. All the breeder
females were given water and a small meal immediately after laying and have continued to eat small meals
every two to three days to build back up their strength and regain some weight. Each female lost an
average of 300 grams in weight with the laying of their eggs.
5-5 UPDATE: All the eggs are doing well in the incubator and the females have resumed to a normal
feeding schedule. The eggs are checked each week for proper humidity and temperature .
6-5 UPDATE: The Rat snake eggs have hatched and 21 new hatchlings are each now living in their own
seperate containers and have shed and are eating. Have you studied the Punnet square yet?
Can you decide what the offspring's genetic traits would be from the pairings we have followed? How
about the pairings listed below for some of other snakes such as the California kings?
Just to remind you some of the pairings were;
albino rat x albino rat
leucistic rat x whiteside rat
banana Cal regular het for albino x banana albino cal
grayband reg x grayband reg
Tangerine albino Honduran x Regular Het for Albino
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Lab Step #3- Gestation and Egg Laying
Can you determine the genetics of the offspring of these pairs? |
