3-26-07 UPDATE: at the end of February, The two pair of Rat snakes were each put
together 3-4 times for copulation over a two week period. After the 4th time both
females were resistant to the male and they were separated for the rest of the
season.
The females have each been given a container with moist sphagnum moss to use as
a lay box. They will also use this box to increase humidity for there sheds. As the
females get closer to laying they will spend more time in this box if they feel it is a
suitable laying place.
The females are being weighed weekly as well as being watched closely. As the eggs
develop within the female she will become distended in the rear third of her body
and will round out. She will generally stop eating during this time so it is important
that she was well fed before mating season.
The Whitesided female shed on 3-25 and the Albino female shed on 3-22. Normally
eggs are laid 35-45 days after fertilization takes place and precedes a pre-laying
shed. It has been 4 weeks since their mating so this could be considered a pre-laying
shed, however, both of these females bred early in the season and never had a post
brumation shed before being paired with males. Thus, it is expected that more time
will pass before their gestation period is finished , and eggs are laid.
3 -3-07 Albino Rat snake laid 10 eggs. All are fertile.
4-5-07 Whitesided Rat snake laid 11 eggs. All are fertile
4-10 UPDATE: All eggs from the two snakes are in containers filled with Vermiculite
and Moss on top. The containers are being incubated a variable temp range from 77
to 84 degrees. The expected incubation period is approximately 6 weeks. The albino
Banana also laid 10 good eggs on April 8th. All the breeder females were given
water and a small meal immediately after laying and have continued to eat small
meals every two to three days to build back up their strength and regain some
weight. Each female lost an average of 300 grams in weight with the laying of their
eggs.
5-5 UPDATE: All the eggs are doing well in the incubator and the females have
resumed to a normal feeding schedule. The eggs are checked each week for proper
humidity and temperature .
6-5 UPDATE: The Rat snake eggs have hatched and 21 new hatchlings are each now
living in their own seperate containers and have shed and are eating. Have you
studied the Punnet square yet?
Can you decide what the offspring's genetic traits would be from the pairings we
have followed? How about the pairings listed below for some of other snakes such
as the California kings?
Just to remind you some of the pairings were;
albino rat x albino rat
leucistic rat x whiteside rat
banana Cal regular het for albino x banana albino cal
grayband reg x grayband reg
Tangerine albino Honduran x Regular Het for Albino
together 3-4 times for copulation over a two week period. After the 4th time both
females were resistant to the male and they were separated for the rest of the
season.
The females have each been given a container with moist sphagnum moss to use as
a lay box. They will also use this box to increase humidity for there sheds. As the
females get closer to laying they will spend more time in this box if they feel it is a
suitable laying place.
The females are being weighed weekly as well as being watched closely. As the eggs
develop within the female she will become distended in the rear third of her body
and will round out. She will generally stop eating during this time so it is important
that she was well fed before mating season.
The Whitesided female shed on 3-25 and the Albino female shed on 3-22. Normally
eggs are laid 35-45 days after fertilization takes place and precedes a pre-laying
shed. It has been 4 weeks since their mating so this could be considered a pre-laying
shed, however, both of these females bred early in the season and never had a post
brumation shed before being paired with males. Thus, it is expected that more time
will pass before their gestation period is finished , and eggs are laid.
3 -3-07 Albino Rat snake laid 10 eggs. All are fertile.
4-5-07 Whitesided Rat snake laid 11 eggs. All are fertile
4-10 UPDATE: All eggs from the two snakes are in containers filled with Vermiculite
and Moss on top. The containers are being incubated a variable temp range from 77
to 84 degrees. The expected incubation period is approximately 6 weeks. The albino
Banana also laid 10 good eggs on April 8th. All the breeder females were given
water and a small meal immediately after laying and have continued to eat small
meals every two to three days to build back up their strength and regain some
weight. Each female lost an average of 300 grams in weight with the laying of their
eggs.
5-5 UPDATE: All the eggs are doing well in the incubator and the females have
resumed to a normal feeding schedule. The eggs are checked each week for proper
humidity and temperature .
6-5 UPDATE: The Rat snake eggs have hatched and 21 new hatchlings are each now
living in their own seperate containers and have shed and are eating. Have you
studied the Punnet square yet?
Can you decide what the offspring's genetic traits would be from the pairings we
have followed? How about the pairings listed below for some of other snakes such
as the California kings?
Just to remind you some of the pairings were;
albino rat x albino rat
leucistic rat x whiteside rat
banana Cal regular het for albino x banana albino cal
grayband reg x grayband reg
Tangerine albino Honduran x Regular Het for Albino
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Lab Step #3- Gestation and Egg Laying
Can you determine the genetics of the offspring of these pairs? |
