In this article, we’ll discuss the various ways that snakes reproduce and provide advice on how to determine whether your snake is pregnant.
Signs of a Pregnant Snake
The following are some of the most obvious indications that your snake might be pregnant, though they could also be normal snake behavior:
Lack of appetite. One of the first signs of possible pregnancy is that your snake will stop eating or eat far less, and this may continue for several weeks. This also happens before and during shedding, though.
Staying in cooler parts of the tank. A pregnant female will often stay away from a heat lamp or the warmest part of her tank in an attempt to keep her body cool.
Lying on her back. A pregnant female may lie on her back with her belly exposed when pregnant or take regular baths in her water bowl, in an effort to stay cool.
Pregnant females will be less happy with handling and may even become aggressive at times. They do this to protect their clutch once the eggs are laid too, so it’s best to keep away from her until the eggs are hatched and relatively independent, no matter the species.
Color change. Some snakes, like Pythons, may change color while pregnant, although this is also common during shedding. This is often referred to as “pregnancy glow,” and your female’s scales may get lighter in color, with more contrast between light and dark patterns.
Lumpy mid-section. Although this will be most noticeable toward the end of the pregnancy, your female will have small lumps on her body, indicating the presence of eggs. This is called “lumping up.”
How Long Do Snakes Stay Pregnant/Gravid?
Many new snake owners wonder how long snakes can remain pregnant. This is because it won’t be known whether their snake setup was actually successful until after the pregnancy.
Since every snake is unique, they can all experience different gestational/pregnancy periods.
Snake Breed
Gravid Period
Number Of Eggs
Length From Shed To Laying Eggs
Ball Pythons
4-5 weeks
6
14 days
Corn Snakes
4-5 weeks
6
8-28 days
Milk Snakes
4-5 weeks
8
8-28 days
King Snakes
4-5 weeks
8
8-28 days
Burmese Pythons
4-5 weeks
100
10 days
Egg Eaters
4-5 weeks
6
10 days
Is your ball python gravid? Will she go gravid? TIPS on identifying signs of a gravid snake!
