Getting closer!

[Jay_Bunny]

Zim, my snow corn female was bred to my normal male. Their first copulation was 4 weeks ago and today I look in and she is in blue! I was told that corn snakes go into their pre-lay shed about 3-4 weeks after copulation so here we are 4 weeks after the first copulation and she is in shed. She's been eating a mouse once weekly. Can I expect her to stop feeding once she gets closer to laying or will she continue to eat?

[Jay_Bunny]

I also had a question about the male normal that she was bred to. He was sold to me as a hypo male. I posted some pictures taken from my cell phone as I was asking if he was a hypo or not. A few people mentioned to me they thought he might be a normal, so that is what I am calling him. But of course I went looking at some hypo corn pictures and he does look similar to them.

Sram full body shot


Belly Shot


Close up


Close up


And I saw these hypos and thought he might very well be a hypo but I will let you all compare and tell me what you think.
http://www.cornsnakemorphgallery.com/hypomelanistic/

[wendhend]

I have been breeding corn snakes for several years. You can expect that your girl will probably stop eating at least two weeks before she lays, but often it is several weeks. She will have a prelay shed, and usually the eggs will be laid 10-14 days after that shed, although I have had some that have gone up to 21 days past their prelay shed before actually laying the eggs. As far as the hypo vs. normal question, it is actually hard to tell on that snake. It's really pretty easy to tell when they are small hatchlings. The normals are very dark brown, and the hypos are a rusty orange color. If the people you got him from were told hypo, I would probably go with that until proven otherwise. Perhaps they would remember what color he was when he was a small hatchling. Breeding him to a snow will be be a good way to find out what he might be het for. Good luck!

[Jay_Bunny]

He was a pet store buy, so I'm not sure if they keep records like that. I believe they got him in as an adult. It will be fun to see what comes from this clutch if she lays. I'll be happy with some healthy hatchlings.

Thanks for your help.

[wendhend]

Well, if he was a pet store buy as an adult.... I guess I would probably go with normal instead of hypo until proven otherwise. Be sure to post a picture of your babies when they hatch!

[Blue Apple Herps]

Looks normal to me, belly checks seem too dark for a hypo.

[Jay_Bunny]

Well just as a little update. Zim shed a little while ago and is now spending the majority of her time in her egg box. I'm going to attempt to feed her today so we shall see if she takes it.

[Jay_Bunny]

As an update, I attempted to feed Zim tonight and she flat out refused. She was sitting on top of her egg box. Normally when I offer, her feeding response is so intense, I barely get the mouse in her enclosure before she's striking at it. Tonight she kept shying away from it. So I'm hopeful!

[wendhend]

Sounds like you may have some eggs soon! I find the majority of my corns will lay pretty close to two weeks after their prelay shed, but it doesn't hurt to be ready sooner than that. Let us know how she does.

[Jay_Bunny]

I'm going to fire up the incubator in a few days just so I have it running for a few days before I expect eggs. I'll post pictures once she lays.