Calcium Supplement?

[KatStoverReptiles]

This year was my 1st breeding and my female was on the smaller side. She gave me 7 eggs (which surprised me) but they all had varying degrees of "pock marks."

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...arked-on-Day-2

As stated in the previous thread, a cursory search of the web leads me to believe this has to do with some sort of calcium deficiency. The eggs are on day 36 today and despite some problems with humidity, still candle with good veins.

My female is eating like a champ (she's always been an excellent eater) and is putting weight back on good. She'll be considerably larger for next season.

Since she gave me "calcium deficient" eggs, do you think I should supplement her diet with a calcium supplement? Or do you think that since she'll be larger this go round (not planning on pairing her till Nov), the situation will rectify itself? And if you do think I should give her the supplement, do you have any suggestions as to where I can get one? I assume I can't just give her one of the calcium with d3 pills that I take everyday.

Thanks guys! I can't wait to share pipping and hatching pictures with you in a few weeks!!


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[Mike41793]

If shes pounding rats weekly i dont think a supplement is needed. What kinda eater was she before she got prego?

[West Coast Jungle]

The spots are totally normal and doesn't mean calcium deficient. Eggs vary from female to female, year to year, clutch to clutch. Don't judge a book by its cover, I am more concerned about whats inside then about the package it came in. Get the idea of perfect chicken eggs out of your head, that's what most folks expect to see and not the reality with reptiles. Ball pythons eggs can look downright nasty and still hatch fine. IMO if its not a slug, its a good egg

[KatStoverReptiles]

If shes pounding rats weekly i dont think a supplement is needed. What kinda eater was she before she got prego?

She was a strong eater before she fell gravid. Only missed when she was in deep blue. Same thing now.


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[mechnut450]

I have a a het pied that gives me a boob egg ( again this year actually 2 ) but i not found out any reason for it, since she eats rats like a kid would candy. Now i have found that ifi feed my rats a mixure of the mazuri and dog food they do better, but i do raise my own rats. ( I never planned on having more than a few snakes not the 16 + I got now lol) so the rat breeding has become more of a deal than before lol( gone from a single tank to having 4 tanks and a asf and mouse tank as well)

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

The spots are totally normal and doesn't mean calcium deficient. Eggs vary from female to female, year to year, clutch to clutch. Don't judge a book by its cover, I am more concerned about whats inside then about the package it came in. Get the idea of perfect chicken eggs out of your head, that's what most folks expect to see and not the reality with reptiles. Ball pythons eggs can look downright nasty and still hatch fine. IMO if its not a slug, its a good egg

This exactly..^^^

One of my females gave me a spotted clutch last year but the years prior and this year they are perfect. I don't believe it has anything to do with a deficiency. All 8 of the spotted/pocked eggs hatched big healthy babies last year.




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[KatStoverReptiles]

Thanks for your responses guys. Guess I'm being a over-protective momma

I'll just stay the course

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

This is what you're talking about right?


Well, you have nothing to worry about!



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Snakes, Jeeps, Dragons, Nature, & Knives.. Makes my world go-round!