breeding cornsnakes...

damzookeeper · 05-03-05, 11:03 AM

I put my male and female together on the week end to do a show and the male was trying to give me a show (if you know what I mean) lol. Anyway, because of all the interuptions and moving they didn't actually mate. I always have them housed separately. I was wondering if I should leave them together for a while and how long. This will be my first breeding of snakes. I have not done anything but lizards and skinks in the past and they all get together for the deed and then are separated again.

Funny thing is I didn't even condition them this year because I was only going to start next year. I thought my female was too young but she is a year older than the male who is 2, and almost as large as him.

Thanks in advance.

Invictus · 05-03-05, 11:38 AM

I leave mine together for a week, then separate and feed, keeping them separate for 3 days, then re-introduce them for another week. I keep this up for about a month, or until I see the female go into shed.

damzookeeper · 05-03-05, 02:30 PM

thanks Ken.

vanderkm · 05-03-05, 05:21 PM

Many different things seem to work with corns and cooling to condition is certainly not required. They seem to breed quite readily, though I have had big females that seemed to reject a younger male.

I introduce my pairs (usually put male in with female - the guys seem less easy to distract) and if the female is cooperative, they will usually be actively breeding within 30 minutes. I remove the male once they have separated or if they are not locked up within 30 minutes and try again in about 3 days. I like to be sure there has been breeding and record the dates, but that is just my preference. I have usually just gone with 2 confirmed breedings, but my males do have several girls to deal with.

best of luck with the pair,

mary v.

damzookeeper · 05-03-05, 05:50 PM

Thanks Mary.
I did read in my manual or somewhere that cooling isn't always needed. The funny thing was that I tried him with my larger female about a couple months ago and nothing happened. I thought, he just wasn't interested. They were in a large rubbermaid.
This past week end I was doing a trade show and brought along some of my breeding herps along with future breeders (which I planed on them being) My female is about a year older than this male that I was bringing but she is actually a bit smaller. I got her last November and she has really grown and started eating much better in the last couple months, must be settled in alright.

Anyway, I wanted to reduce cage space so I figured why not put them together,it was only for a few hours. From about 10 mintues after they were together my male started the jerking motions I read about in my manual and then he seemed to fallow along her body up to her head with his head. He even seemed to nibble very gently near her neck and was rubbing her tail with his. We were moving them from the house to the car and then the car to the show and then out for a show so he was constantly interupted and after about 3 tries (she also never gave in but their was much for her to be distracted with) he gave up. When they came home I left them together over night but I don't think they actually bred and my female was hiding in the aspen away from the male, who now looks like he is starting a shed. lol.
So, I separated them and placed the female on newsprint to be ready for next time. I'm assuming the male wont be ready till after he sheds now.

but I'm in no rush. If they don't breed this year there is always next.

Thanks again.

vanderkm · 05-05-05, 01:13 PM

While I haven't hesitated to give young males a chance, I don't expect much from them. I have never put a young male in with a girl while he was blue, but many of my older males who know what they are after will breed even when blue.

I really think the females select away from young males - have seen this more in my hondurans than the corns, but in hondos it seems to me the male has to be able to convince the female that he is worthy by the pressure he applies along her back. If he doesn't have the body weight, she just shrugs him off, but will quickly accept a mature male by lifting her tail almost at the first touch.

Good luck with this potential pair, and like you say - there is always next year - I am holding off on any breeding this year - have too many youngsters to raise from last year!

mary v.

damzookeeper · 05-05-05, 04:40 PM

THanks again Mary. Also wanted to ask what do you consider a young male? Is my male young at 2 years? What about my female. She is 3. I didn't find any info on weight and size for breeding, I have the cornsnake manual, maybe I overlooked it but couldn't seem to find it in there eithor.

What age/size do you start your corns and your milks breeding? I have a beautiful milk but no male for her as of yet. And she is way too young for breeding still so I"m not in a hurry. I probably wouldn't breed her till she is at least 3. I have so many lizard project on the go. lol, My bluey (bts) project is my major project and most interesting and exciting. Maybe it's just because I love blue tongues. lol. I have 9 of them and 3 of my females actually mated with a couple males this year. Can't wait to see if they are pregnant, wont know for at least another month though.

Here is my milk. I got her from Brian. Her name is Emily.

vanderkm · 05-06-05, 11:05 AM

Gorgeous hondo!! Very nice even banding and great color for a female. Find the males are often cleaner colored.

I consider a 2 year old male young - I have used 2 year old males, I haven't bred females that are under 3 years.

I can't imagine trying to work with lizards - you have tons going on!!

mary v.

damzookeeper · 05-06-05, 02:13 PM

Thanks again Mary. I was told this guy was 2 years old when I got him, but I tell you he is larger than my 3 year old female and just as big as my 4 year old okettee.
Thanks again for all your help.