Corn Snake breeding

[AndrewBobDrew]

I currently have three corn snakes with a bought pair and another big one. I have been trying to debate whether or not my big corn is a female and after a number of hours on the net decided that it might be so I took my 200g male and added it to her cage(she is 450g). It took a few minutes for them to realise what was going on then the male moved in and the female was twitching(I don't know if this meant get away or come here) so for about 5-6 hours the male was following the female around. Whether there was copulation or not I have no idea as I went out. How many more times should I put them together. The little male seemed to hitch a ride on top of the female so I suppose it was mating. any advice? This must be a pair right?

[AndrewBobDrew]

I put the snakes together again last night and the little male would not let the bigger snake alone. However this morning their is no eveidence of copulation and last night for the first 10mins that i witnessed things there was no penetration.
1. Is the male too young (2ys, 1m, 200g)
2. Could it be that the big snake is male which seems unlikely cos it is over twice the size and besides trying to move away does not attack the other corn
2. should i just give it more time

[AndrewBobDrew]

I tried again tonight and the male seems to have no interest all of a sudden, what's going on?

[Hanneys'n'Corns]

I take note that you are from South Africa, so it would typically be 'our April' here. This should be breeding season.

My spring cycle here is to introduce the male a few days after the female has had her first spring shed. If your female is 'willing' she won't be skimming all over her tank. The difference in size could be a factor, but by the way you are describing the activity in the 'mating tank', I would think the cycle is not 'on' for your female.

Try again right after her next shed. Just a suggestion, hope it helps.

Ruth Hanney

[AndrewBobDrew]

well it has been two weeks and my female has now gone into blue. Do you think there is a chance that she may be gravid? Should I wait and see or just put the male in there again after she sheds just in case she is not?

[new addiction r]

In my experience I have found that if i put the female in with the male copulation takes place very soon after. Where as if i reverse it my female seems to do exactly what you are describing. Also I put my pair together for approx. 3-4 days. removing the female and then offering food (smaller than normal). 3-4 days later i re-introduce them. I continue this cycle for about 1-11/2 months. imyself and alot of other breeders i talk to do this and we have had great success.
I hope this will help you.