Clutch of something...without male

[Capt. Coil]

Hi,

This is my first post to BP.net..I'm glad I found this site! I have had my ball python for 14 years. Initially told it was a he. Over the past weeks although very active, he has little interest in food. (He will only eat live, nothing dead). I have purchased quite a few rats, which I simply returned when there was little interest

I awoke this morning to a surprise...my 14 Y/O BP had laid what appeared to be eggs..they are not white, rather more yoke colored and leathery looking. I count 3, but there may be more. The strange thing is I have never seen this snake do anything like this in over 14 years, and all of the sudden... I can assure you she has not been exposed to any males in 14 years. What would cause this to happen? Is this normal? I'll take a pic tonight and post it.

Help!

[catawhat75]

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...arthenogenesis

[NickMyers03]

your snake laid slugs not eggs...that would explain why they are slugs if she has not been introduced to a male

[Capt. Coil]

I don't think there are any eggs in there..just slugs. Is it normal to lay slugs all of a sudden...after 14 years of nothing?

[lord jackel]

It is more likely they are urates (we have had people post similar stores here before and they almost always turn out to be urates)...post a pic when you can.

[Capt. Coil]

lord jackel,

You might be right, but I've seen plenty of urates from my snake before and none have looked this this. I will post pics tonight. Thanks for your help!

[MarkS]

It sounds like infertile eggs (slugs) to me too. An animal does not have to be fertilized in order to lay eggs, chickens do it every day. Who knows what the trigger was to cause her lay eggs after 14 years? It could be differences in her diet, or a cooler winter or an earlier spring or more humid conditions, it could be a lot of different things. If they are eggs, one thing you want to make sure of is that she's now empty and has all the eggs out of her otherwise it could cause problems. If you post a pic, we could tell you what they are.

Mark

[Capt. Coil]

DUMB question.. now that I have the pics.. how do I get them up here???

[dr del]

Hi,


We have a couple of tutorials that should help.

A video tutorial by Iceman25.

And a sticky thread.

Hope those help.


dr del

[Capt. Coil]

Dr. Del,

Thanks...here we go:



Slugs???