Breeding Snakes
How to Breed Snakes
(A Simple Guide)
First you must discern your snakes origin. Snakes that come from equatorial areas are not likely to require hibernation due to the minimal temperature ranges in their natural environment. If your snakes origins are from further North or South of the Equator a Brumation (Cooling Down) period is required.
Only snakes in good condition should be used for breeding. It is not a good idea to cool down snakes in a bad condition as the snake will not eat during this time and probably die of starvation.
How to Cool Your Snake Down
Your snake must not eat for at least 3 weeks before it is cooled down and you should make sure it defecates after it has had its last meal. Undigested food or unpassed faeces can kill your snake during the cooling down period. Soak your snake daily in warm water to help it to pass its waste if it is not doing so on its own.
You can either adapt your snakes enclosure or create a hibernation chamber for your snake to cool down in. A water bowl will still be necessary for your snake during the cooling down period as it will still drink and move around (just not as much as usual).
The enclosure should be kept dark, a deep substrate like corn-cob or Aspen shavings should be provided for the snake to burrow and the temperature should be dropped by a few degrees daily until and at a temperature not more than 60 degrees F is attained, 55 degrees is ideal. The snakes should be kept at this temperature for 2 months (kingsnakes need a 3 month period for optimum breeding results, some snakes have been successfully bred with a much shorter period but 2 months is the ideal).
After the cooling off period is finished you should slowly raise the temperature by a few degrees until your snakes normal temperatures are reached, the snake can be returned to its enclosure if it was in a hibernation chamber at this time.
Breeding
Do not put the male and female together yet. After a week back to normal start to feed your snake as usual (females should be fed extremely well at this time). After about 2-3 weeks the female should shed, this is the signal to put the snakes together. It is preferable to introduce the female to the males enclosure. When dealing with kingsnakes and milksnakes it is best to keep an eye on them to make sure they do not attack one another. Once they have mated remove the female for a couple of days and then try again to ensure more eggs are fertilised.
Some snakes like boas have live young while others lay eggs. If your snake is an egg layer you should find out how long your snake species will remain gravid for and then just before egg-laying you should put a nesting tub into your snakes enclosure. This can be made by taking a large 1 gallon tub half filled with damp vermiculite and cutting a hole big enough for your snake to fit into in the lid. Your snake will find its way into the tub and lay her eggs there which can then be taken and incubated.
Photo By Richinpequea
