Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi people,

I am an enthusiast of lampropeltis who is residing in the warmer part of the world (Malaysia). However, my passion to these beautiful creatures are unfortunately stagnated due to inexperience and my inability to further breed these creatures.

As such, the following are my concerns before i start on the breeding of any of my snakes:

i)temprature - is it necessary to put these snakes into cold temprature to simulate winter in order for them to hibernate and fertile their sperm (male snakes)? What about lampropeltis that have been brought up all their lives (since a hatchling)in the warmer regions of the world without going through the silghtest drop of temprature or needless to say, winter?
must I still simulate the winter process or can these snakes adapt to these conditions and get fertile upon natural course of maturity?

ii)How can i introduce 2 snakes of different sex to breed as they are cannibalistic?is there any signals from the snakes that i should watch out for before the introduction?

The above are a few of my initial concerns which I would like to find out. Hence, to anybody who can address the above subject matter, i hereby ask for your kind assistance in helping me to further extend my passion for these wonderful creatures.

Thanks guys.

Lampropeltis do fine in a fairly wide degree of conditions. The easiest to keep and breed are the Chain kings (L.getula). I have successfully produced litters from Eastern Chains, Eastern Black, All Florida forms and California Kings without over wintering them.

All of these mate roughly from Feb to May. Generally the chance of cannibalism is a minor thing if both snakes are well fed. Watch for twitching which will indicate sexual interest. Misting helps to stimulate.

As for the Milk snakes. I have not bred any of those species so maybe someone else can give insights there.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Thanks rearfang.

If that is the case, would you suggest that I just bypass the winter simulation and feed them adequately untill the female sheds for the 3rd or 4th time and then, introduce the male immediately after the shedding? (both male and female are about 3 to 4 yers old)

Currently, i'm thinking of breeding gray banded, tarahumara mountain kings and californian kings. can all these be bred through the same methods?

thanks.

The cal kings will be your best bet. The mountain kings will be trickest without a cooling period. All of them will benefit from a change in light cycles to que them into breeding mode at the same time of year.

When you introduce kings, especially for the first time you should watch them like a hawk. I always keep a bucket of luke warm water around to break it up if it gets ugly.

I agree. Cal kings are the simplest. At 3-4 yrs old they certainly are mature enough. Almost any getula king is ready to breed if they are over 2.5'

Like I said above, watch for the twitching-and watch them closely.

I have not bred the other two.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Hi Gross, Without question, you do not need to, have to, or even think about hibernation/brumation. You do need to offer the proper temperature range. This should not be to hard to do.

Most kingsnakes will choose to live in temps from the mid sixties, to the mid ninites. If you offer this range year around, kingsnakes will have no problem reproducing. Its only when you offer constant hotter temps that kingsnakes cannot reproduce. They normally stay at the cooler temps and use the hotter temps for specific metabolic functions.

I imagine its not much different with snakes where you live. Do you see them at hot times or when its overcast and cooler? or mourning and evening/night?

Kingsnakes are not true cannibals. They tend to eat other snakes. Other snakes are not them. So its not eating your own(cannibal) They will eat their own if starving, as any carnivore would. They also try to chase off unwanted members of their own type, and if not allowed to chase them off, they will kill/eat them.

Are dogs cannibals? if dogs like eachother, they hang out in packs. If they don't they will kill other dogs, then eat them(if not being fed my people) They are not cannibals.

Good luck and do not be afraid to give it a try. If you understand the conditions needed, then its not a problem. Remember, kingsnakes come from tropical parts of our continent, much like where your from. You know, southern mexico to northern South america. Cheers

Thanks heaps guys...

Your feedbacks have really boosted my confidnce to try out new things...

Will definitely show you the results of my snakes' progress..
(hehe...let's keep our fingers crossed!!)

Nonetheless, thanks heaps!!!