Palpating?

[Odd-sam]

I've been trying out the palpating method on my two females that I'm trying to breed this year, but there's one thing about the palpating method I'd like to get some answers to.

When palpating, starting from about half the snake i first feel something that i would describe as an empty stomach (they don't eat atm so it makes sense), then i get to the 'follicles'. Recently when i palpated i can feel that some of them feel bigger than the other ones, and that there's gaps between some of them?
I don't really know how to explain so I'll make an illustration:
Think that this is the snake --------------. And when i palpate her i feel what i believe is follicles like this: --**-*---***-. I always though that they lay next to each other , but because I'm not sure i thought I'd ask here.

Another thing, one of my females have lost weight during the breeding season (the other one have gain weight), is this normal ? Because i can still feel 'follicles' and from what I've heard they should gain weight while breeding?

[cschneider]

I don't have a ton of experience, but every time I have palpated, the follicles have been about the same size and roughly the same distance apart. I'm thinking you might be feeling urates, poo or a mix of that with a few follicles.

As for the weight issue, any female your breeding will pig out until she is gravid, so I would keep a close eye on that. The eggs will suck nutrition out of them but if they have growing eggs I usually don't see weight loss. It should be weight gain.


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[cschneider]

It's also possible you might be feeling follicles and slugs...


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[Odd-sam]

Ok thx for sharing

[shaun1118]

It's also possible you might be feeling follicles and slugs...

Erm no, a follicle is a follicle its not yet fertilised so there wont be any slugs until she has ovulated

[slithering house]

i have a female that has been laying on her side for several hours now she is on her belly again is she building

[twistedtails]

I would say you are feeling follicles. I have always felt the same thing you are talking about. I will say though, shortly(a week to 2 weeks) before ovualtion they will all be bunched up. Just my experience though.