Gravid Bitis gabonica

[froot]

Posted on behalf of zululand:

A pic of my gravid Gabby (I hope), been waiting and waiting and waiting!
Got a nice basking lamp for her, temps have now dropped to the early 30's
out here not the low 40's anymore like we had last month!



I spotted them link up quite a few times so the chances are pretty good
and she has been showing all the right signs for many months now.




Cheers
Anton

[Waz]

Would one call a live bearing snake gravid or pregnant?

[froot]

Gravid, they are still born from eggs but in a different way.

This is excellent news Zululand, please keep us posted.

[warbot]

Ovoviviparous, young are egg bound and feeds on yolk until finally born from the egg inside the gravid female, thus, looks like it was live born but it was actually hatched from an egg.

Viviparous : Live birth

Oviparous : Hatched

I am not 100% sure weather they are really Viviparous or Ovoviviparous ?
Some snakes species do give live birth, Viviparous...

But, I have never cut my snake open to see, and not planning on doing so... EVER, so somebody that has better info is more than welcome to correct me if need be.

[Amphibian]

Great News I know Anton has worked with these animals for many years......and this is well deserved and long overdue.

[Loretta]

Congrats! Hope all goes well!

[Rob]

This will be great. Both are gorgeous snakes.
Congrats Anton.

[Bushbaby]

Holding thumbs and feel your frustration in the waiting waiting waiting. lol

[NickFT]

awesome snake, Good luck

[Pythonodipsas]

Lovely news Anton, Congrats!

[Eyelash]

WOW man...they are amazing looking...
Congrats...cant wait to see the babies !

[zululand]

Thanks for the comments and support!

She seems happy and basking all day every day. Thinking about moving her into her own enclosure, someone mentioned the other Gabby's might eat the babies which would p!ss me off.

I keep 2 pairs in a 2.4m x 1.2m enclosure and they have been thriving in there for nearly 2 years now. The gravid Gabby I've had for close on 5 years so its been a long slow process but I believe in growing my snakes slowly for the best results.

Will keep you all posted!

[Bushbaby]

I would remove the male if I were you. If the female is happy in the cage, don't move her now.

[zululand]

Good plan, he has grown quite a bit in the time she's been less active and he's a persistent boy. Ready to make more babies!

[Bushbaby]

When did you see copulation? Possibly she's ovulating, or has she been mated with?

My male drives me mad when he is in the mood!! All hissy and puffy. Does yours do the same?