Egg bound? When to worry...

[Matt K]

Hey there! So this is my first season breeding, and I only had one girl take. On Sunday, she laid one slug on the far end of her tank.

The issue is, I know she still has three egg masses in there--she palpates two smaller masses, and one larger one. It has now been a day and a half since she laid that slug, and nothing has followed. She doesn't seem coiled up like before, but also doesn't seem stressed or anxious at all. Is it at all normal for a slug to be laid and the rest of the clutch to follow? Sunday was day 26, just for reference. At what point should I be worried? Thanks a lot for any and all help, it's greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
-Matt

[mpkeelee]

how old is that snake and how much does she weigh?
ive never seen that before, but hopefully the big breeders on here will post soon.

[Matt K]

She's an '07 whose pre-ovulation weight was right around 1700 grams. She laid a clutch of 7 eggs last season (not for me), and gained enough weight that I felt comfortable giving her a go this season. Obviously it was a bit much for her, as she has had only 4 follicles throughout the process--I just hope there's a chance that she'll pass the rest of the clutch normally. The three egg masses in her are spaced relatively far apart, so it almost seems like she isn't ready to lay yet, as they haven't been manipulated in line down her body. It feels less like she's egg bound, and more like she just passed a slug early, if that makes sense. Anywho, thanks still for any help, and thanks for the reply mpkeelee!

Cheers,
-Matt

[Dave Green]

I wouldn't worry too much yet. I've had females lay a slug or two and then lay a clutch a few days later. In my experience, when this happens the clutch is a combo of a couple good eggs and a couple slugs.

[Matt K]

Thanks Dave, the response is much appreciated. I'm thinking I'm just going to get one good egg out of this clutch, but I'd be super happy even for that, haha. Definitely not picky. Thanks again, and any further feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
-Matt

[mpkeelee]

well she's only halfway through so just keep an eye on her. good luck

[Matt K]

Just an update. She has basically been laying a slug a day. She laid a slug yesterday that had just a bit of good egg shell on it, and another total slug today. I'm hoping the last egg mass is a viable egg, but I'm not getting my hopes up, that's for sure. Very strange stuff though, I've never heard of this happening.

Cheers,
-Matt

[Matt K]

Final update--she slugged out. Ahhhhh well, what to do? Hopefully I'll have better luck next season, but not with her, she's taking a well deserved break.

Cheers,
-Matt