Yep. I don’t know the reason chemically speaking, but corn snake clutches typically start having a noticeable scent change within the final week before they pip. Once they start pipping it intensifies.
I assume it’s coming from a substance in the eggs (the albumin seems likely). As the eggs near hatching, the snakelets are absorbing increasing quantities of minerals from their shells. This strengthens the babies’ while thinning the shells, making hatching easier. A side effect is that scent.
Many people liken the smell to fresh green bell peppers. Others think of other fresh veggies. It’s a “green smell,” for want of a better term. Fresh, not unpleasant, and nothing like avian eggs. Best of all it means there will be pippies soon!
I’ve been mostly ignoring them happily. Not anymore, lol. Annelie and Allstar’s 2024 clutch pipped on Day 60. I use ambient temps for incubation so there may well be a bit of variance.
Last night I was refreshing my lists of Strawberry Cultivars to be ready with some name possibilities.
So. Annelie and Allstar’s clutch is still sitting there being eggs. Tomorrow will be Day 60 and I hope it will bring sight of a nose. But meanwhile there are other happenings!
When I checked on Narcissa in her nest box this morning, this is what I saw. It’s only been five days since she shed so I was surprised. I closed the box and left her alone until evening. Kinda looked like there might be another egg to come.
And there are other happenings, too. I know it’s late in the season to introduce a pair. But this has been an unusual year is a number of ways. I wanted to put this pair together last season and life interfered. I felt like this needed at least a chance to happen so I put Basilius and Hermione together. They locked immediately. Here’s hoping for magical silver and gold!
Narcissa is finished with the second clutch. There was an even split; five nice fertile looking eggs, five slugs. She had a little drink. I’ll offer her a small meal tomorrow. Time to rebuild that sweet mama’s strength! Expecting Strawberry Lavenders, Strawberry Moonstones, Strawberry Aneries, possibly other fun things depending upon which hets and pos hets might match.
Go Narcissa! Glad she got them all out. Whew! And exciting news for Basilius and Hermione. I’ve had zero luck with late-season pairings, myself, so I’m impressed they locked right away. Go figure. I guess some girls are more willing than others, late in the game. Can’t wait to see what they produce!
Thanks! Yes, getting all of the eggs out is goal #1, for sure! Narcissa declined a meal today but her body condition is decent though deflated. I won’t harass her about eating.
I haven’t put a pair together this late before, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I hope things go well.
Today is Day 60 for Allstar & Annelie’s first clutch. Their parents’ 2024 clutch pipped on Day 60. These are still sitting here looking like eggs, smelling immensely like green bell peppers. I have PT this afternoon and need to run some errands. I’ve explained to the eggs that I expect to see at least one pippy this evening.
It’s really a weird thing the first time, for sure. I have migraine issues and often smell strange things when a headache is coming. It’s usually something like hot wiring. I thought I was in for a doozy the first time I smelled bell peppers in the incubator.
!!!
