Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys, I know these aren't ratsnakes, but a fellow over in the general forum suggest I ask you guys, since apparently, the snakes are similar.

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? These are from a WC female. I'm releasing most of them...when can I do that? Never done this before...and could use your expert advice! THANKS! -vicki
-----
~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

Actually, they ARE ratsnakes. There are a few folks on this forum that have some good experience with these, so hopefully they will respond. The advice you got on the other forum is sound, so far. Email me at pezican@hotmail.com I have a question for you. Duffy

Vicki:
You're in luck. Fox snakes are a type of ratsnake so the folks here can help. If the temperatures are reasonable (low 80's) then the eggs will all start hatching at about the same time. For the most part (and of course there are always exceptions) they'll hatch over the course of three or four days. If you are releasing most of them then you can put aside the ones you are keeping in separate containers. The others you can release as they hatch in some appropriate area (preferably close to where you found the mother. Put them in some cover so predators don't spot them easily. Fox snakes are hardy captives and should take live pink mice as their first meals.

Good luck and ask if you have any other questions.
John

Thanks How soon to feed?
-----
~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

You can try them right away (after separating them) or wait until they shed.

.
-----
~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

Don't feed any that will be released. This can make them more of a captive and reduce survivability in the wild. They should also be released before they adjust to handling.
-----
"I'll be back at 6 if not 7. 8 the very latest but definatly no later than 9...ish...Moscow time."

.
-----
~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