New Kings

[Frisky]

So about 2 months ago, I was offered 4 King Snakes. A reverse Trio (2.1) of Amel Ruthvens King Snakes and a single Male Arizona Mountain King Snake.

Due to me having a single Female Arizona Mountain King Snake for the last 3 Years, the Male Arizona was a no brainer, I jumped at the chance.

The Ruthvens are a rarity here in South Africa, and even more so when you add in the Amel factor. the previous owner has tried to breed them for 2 seasons in a row now but the Female just keeps slugging out. I f anyone can give me any tips on breeding this particular species of King snake, it will be greatly appreciated.

I don't have pics of the Male Arizona, but here are some pics of the Amel Ruthvens Reverse Trio.

Female
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii33/rolandslf/Female_zpsxh8eruwl.jpg (http://s260.photobucket.com/user/rolandslf/media/Female_zpsxh8eruwl.jpg.html)

Male 2
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii33/rolandslf/Male%202_zpsgi4xim2n.jpg (http://s260.photobucket.com/user/rolandslf/media/Male%202_zpsgi4xim2n.jpg.html)

Male 1
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii33/rolandslf/Male%201_zpsioymeqby.jpg (http://s260.photobucket.com/user/rolandslf/media/Male%201_zpsioymeqby.jpg.html)

[EL Ziggy]

Wow, those kings are amazing Frisky!

[PsychoSnake]

Very cool!

[jjhill001]

Any idea what method the other person was using to incubate the eggs? Was the other person brumating the kingsnake long enough/cold enough. I imagine being in South Africa it could be hard to get the colder temps without the correct equipment.

Now this is just from some research but I've read that you need to stop feeding during the American cooler months. So around November or so basically stop feeding for two weeks to allow the snake to empty out its gut, then gradually lower the temps to around 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Then you leave them with just a bowl of water for 2 months, checking on them occasionally to make sure they are ok.

Then you reverse the process, gradually returning temps to normal and then offering food after a bit. The snakes will shed and after that you can introduce the pair and they will breed. You can introduce them several times but don't leave them together too long as Kings are known snake eaters. Then you basically feed the female a bunch of food so she has the fat reserves to lay eggs.

The actual timings and stuff are all over the internet but thats the basic process.

This is the method I will use when I incubate the eggs because it just seems so easy.

A Novel Snake Incubation Method - Ratsnake Information (http://www.ratsnakes.info/index.php/article-base/general-ratsnake-info/102-a-novel-snake-incubation-method)

[Frisky]

Thank You for the advice. I don't know what brumation if any has been done, and it is too late for me now. Our Spring months are September, October and November with the Summer months being December, January and February.

The brightly coloured male has just gone into the Blue Stage, and interestingly enough, the pale male, the one who is white in colour, has suddenly started to get bright.

So I wait for shedding, and then I will start pairing them up.

[Frisky]

A quick update.

Sadly, the pale male has died, why I don't know. He ate and a week later I found him dead in the cage.

The female appears to be Gravid with a number of smaller eggs and one very big egg. If the eggs are fertile, it can only be from retained sperm from last season, as I never paired her up this season. Time will tell.

Regards
Roland