a few more weeks and a lot of ?s

[hex a holik]

well, our female central american red tail is preggy. if our math is correct she is due in the next 2 to 3 weeks. so this mama is starting to "panic" because this is our first breeding attempt and im pretty sure she took the first time.
she is big and fat and irratible. she shed just after her and our male spent some needed time together. we caught them "loving eachother" one morning a couple weeks before xmas. on 3/20 she shed again. she has been eating every week. she has never refused a meal in her life. i've heard that they are not supposed to want to eat but ive also heard of some that eat the whole time their gravid.

well anyways, its getting close to baby time and i just wanted to know are there things that im supposed to do to make her comfortable? temps? humidity? privacy?
what can i expect when the babies are born? do i have to clean them off? do i have to feed them right away? will they eat on their own? should i seperate all of them or can they stay in the same tanks? will mom hurt them if they aren't taken out right away? do i have to do anything special w/ mom after the babies are born?
i know, i have so many questions. im hoping that anyone w/ experience can help us out, because cleo is my #1 girl and i'm getting nervous. lol.
we've read books on this stuff but first hand information is the best.

so anyone w/ answers, suggestions, or words of encouragement, PLEASE respond.
thanx.
happy herping.

[ffollett]

well anyways, its getting close to baby time and i just wanted to know are there things that im supposed to do to make her comfortable? temps? humidity? privacy?


With a gravid female common we keep the basking spot around 90-92. Humidity stays the same. Try to handle her as little as possible. Spot clean the cage without taking her out if you can.

what can i expect when the babies are born? do i have to clean them off?

You can expect one hell of a mess. Lori has pics of a litter I will get them from her and throw them on here for you. Once they broke through their sack we took them out and put them on moist paper towels in their own bins.

should i seperate all of them or can they stay in the same tanks?

Separating would be best to be able to monitor each baby just in case they have problems.

will mom hurt them if they aren't taken out right away?

I have never heard or seen it happen but anything is possible. I would be more worried about her laying on top of one of them and doing some damage more than anything else.

do i have to feed them right away?

No they should have fat bellies when they are born. They probably won't be interested in food until they shed for the first time and even then it could take some time before they will eat.

do i have to do anything special w/ mom after the babies are born?


A day at the spa might be nice. Seriously just clean her and the cage up. The process will be draining for her. Once you get things cleaned up give her a few days and try to feed her. I am sure at that point she will be more than willing to eat to get some energy built back up.

[The Snake Guru]

Agreed on all points.

And as for the feeding while gravid.....it really comes down to the individual....some females will eat all the way through up until a few weeks before it's time, some will go off feed for the entire time. When she starts getting ready to go she'll go through an extra long shed cycle before laying, and she'll start cruising around a bit more looking for a spot to hunker down in.

Good luck on the upcoming litter and congrats!
~B~

[hex a holik]

thanx for the feedback guys. we checked her tonight and she was moving around alot. she took a massive poop too. we have her "basking spot" where her heat pad is and the pad is around 87-92, im hoping that is enough for her. we are very excited. we just got a new video camera so maybe if we're lucky, we'll be able to record her giving birth.

so the waiting continues. we'll keep you updated. thanx