CRB Clutch size????

Ed_r · #1 (**permalink**) 03-22-2003, 05:47 AM

Well as was thought the CRB I just got was gravid. The clutch was no good, 5 slugs. My question is, Is this a normal sized clutch for a CRB(Columbian Rainbow Boa)? Or should she go to the vet because she may have retained some? Her belly still kinda looks like it may have a bulge in it. She is about 5.5' long. Not overly heavy. Was told she hasn't eaten throughout the pregnancy. A clutch of 5 seems kinda small. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
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telefrag · #2 (**permalink**) 03-22-2003, 05:51 AM

Well, it may have passed the slugs to get them out of the way for the birth of any good babies.
I have seen/heard of clutches being anywhere from 5 to 15 babies on those.

I also now its sometimes common for livebearing snakes to pass unfertilized ova, or slugs before they pass their developed offspring.

when did the last known copulation of the male/female occur?
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Ed_r · #3 (**permalink**) 03-22-2003, 05:58 AM

I have no idea, I just aquired them last week. So is there a chance she still has young inside? Should I get her to the vet?
Any Idea how long she does this before the Live come, if they do?

_________________
Don't forget REPTILE FEST!!! April 5th and 6th 2003 at the UIC Chicago campus. http://chicagoherp.org/fest/main.htm

telefrag · #4 (**permalink**) 03-22-2003, 06:11 AM

well, thats hard to say.
it could be days, could be weeks.

but knowing when the ovulation, or last copulation was would be a good metric to determine that,
I would not take her to the vet and stress her unless you feel its really needed.
Does she act strange?
is she still sitting on heat or basking?
is she showing ANY interest in food, or being somewhat aggressive?

theres a lot of if's , but you may want to see if a vet can do a "sonogram" on them to see if live babies, or still developing embryos are still there.

I had a kenyan sand boa pass 3 slugs, then a week later she had live healthy babies.
so dont give up hope just yet.
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telefrag · #5 (**permalink**) 03-22-2003, 06:17 AM

oh, and yes its possible there are still live or fully formed babies still waiting to be born.
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Ed_r · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-2003, 07:01 AM

1) shes not really basking.
2) shes not psychotic but, is highly alert, did not try striking at me when i removed her to clean out the slugs.
3) She was offered food 2 days ago and refused food.
4) when I put her back in her cagfe it did seem like she still had a bulge in her belly.

I'll keep you informed.
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telefrag · #7 (**permalink**) 03-22-2003, 07:12 AM

well, good luck.
I hope things turn out ok.
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Joltman · #8 (**permalink**) 03-22-2003, 07:38 AM

I have had 3 clutches of crb one was 14 one was 12 and one was nine
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Ed_r · #9 (**permalink**) 03-22-2003, 05:07 PM

Another reason I found this funny, is there was no afterbirth in the cage. Just dry slugs. Every other time there was a huge birthing mess.

Thanks for the info telefrag, and Jolty.

_________________
Don't forget REPTILE FEST!!! April 5th and 6th 2003 at the UIC Chicago campus. http://chicagoherp.org/fest/main.htm

#10 (**permalink**) 03-22-2003, 07:45 PM

The last time they were together was about mid October. I had a feeling she might have been gravid. When I picked up this pair I was told she was possibly gravid but she never dropped any. I hope all goes well with her.
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mirabelasunshine · #11 (**permalink**) 03-22-2003, 07:52 PM

From what you're saying, I'm guessing she's still got *something* -- live or not -- on board. If she was all done, she'd probably be very hungry. Only saying this on the basis of experience w/ bci birth, but between not eating and still looking bulgy, that's my guess. Good luck!
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