Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys...my fox snakes are hatching! I have two snakes now, and about 12 more to go. Could really use advice on what to do now! How soon should I feed? Can I "help them along" in the hatching process? I moved the two to a different enclosure...with a shallow bowl of water. What else should I do? Should I incubate? Again, these are fox snakes. They hatched much, much sooner than I expected. Also, will ALL the eggs hatch soon...or might some take longer? Never done this before...and could use your expert advice! THANKS! -vicki
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~Vicki
0.2 chondros
1.0 ball python
0.1 brazilian rainbow boa
0.1 albino cornsnake
1.0 okeetee cornsnake
1.0 honduran milk snake
0.1 siberian husky

Vicki,

I will try to answer your questions to the best of my limited knowlege.

>>Hi guys...my fox snakes are hatching!

Congratulations! Fox snakes are awesome. I encourage you to post this same message on the "Ratsnakes' and/ "Cornsnake" forums here at this website. You will get a lot more useful advice there.

>>How soon should I feed?

Wait till after their first shed.

>>Can I "help them along" in the hatching process?

Not unless there is something seriously wrong. Hatchlings are very delicate. It is much easier to hurt rather than help.

>>What else should I do?

You can keep tham communally for now, but very soon each will need its own enclosure. They need water, hide spots (I find shredded newspaper works great), and warmth. Babies can easilly dry out so keep their environment humid, but not wet.

>>Should I incubate?

They will need a temperature gradient - say from low 70's to around 80 F - whether alone or together.

>>Also, will ALL the eggs hatch soon...or might some take longer?

More than likely they will all hatch within a few days. You need to start thinking about housing - you best bet would be a rack system, with built-in heating.

One more thing which you absolutely must do - post pics of the little guys!

Best Regards,

John D
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat (WV Rescue) "Roberta"

THANK YOU!!! This was very, very helpful! Will also post over in cornsnakes I will be releasing most of them (am going to keep a couple)...how long before I can do that?
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~Vicki
0.2 chondros
1.0 ball python
0.1 brazilian rainbow boa
0.1 albino cornsnake
1.0 okeetee cornsnake
1.0 honduran milk snake
0.1 siberian husky

Are they Eastern or Western? Where are you located(what state). Sure would like one!!! Duffy

They are westerns. email me at polarpooch@charter.net
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~Vicki
0.2 chondros
1.0 ball python
0.1 brazilian rainbow boa
0.1 albino cornsnake
1.0 okeetee cornsnake
1.0 honduran milk snake
0.1 siberian husky

Hope this posts OK. So far, 8 of 15 have hatched. 4 more are breaking through...and 2 haven't even begun to hatch yet. Hmm. I hope they'll be OK. This is only maybe 4 of them in this pic...

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~Vicki
0.2 chondros
1.0 ball python
0.1 brazilian rainbow boa
0.1 albino cornsnake
1.0 okeetee cornsnake
1.0 honduran milk snake
0.1 siberian husky

Great to see the hatchlings! Just check with your locale regulations prior to releasing any back into the wild, as most states harbor such to this regard...

Best of luck to you,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947