Reptile & Amphibian Forums

any tips on breeding a male king to a female corn. i don't have a king female so switching the females is out. My male is not eating as much as i'd like him to. is there a weight/size ratio that works better the male is about the same length but she is thicker. I’ve been bulking them up for about a month and a half. My female is starting to show disinterest in her food do you think I should stop feeding her and get her ready for brumation? Also any brumation temps you recommend? king and corn brumation temps appear to be similar enough anyone find optimal temps though?

Is breeding for hybrids more successful if you have larger snakes? What would be good weights for them to breed at- the same sizes that you’d breed corn X corn or king X king

I am not sure on what to use as male and what to use as females on a king x corn cross. However, I think I remember that its easier to use a male corn with female king due to the differences in hemipene structure (a male corn hemipene will fit into a female king cloaca, but a male king hemipene may not necessarily fit into a female corn cloaca). I am not an expert on this AT ALL, so may get a different answer.

Breeding is generally regulated in colubrids like kings and corns by size/mass, not necessarily age. For corns, general rule of thumb is female being at least 32 inches long, but not sure of weight. Most kings and corns are mature when three years old. You can get a three foot female corn from a hatchling in less than two years if pushed, and she would have the mass necessary to breed then. Males of both kings and corns can breed at slightly smaller size. Obviously weight doesnt affect the males as much as good weight (once again, mass) affects females in being able to breed.

Brumation is not always necessary to produce viable eggs in temperate species like kings and corns. However, better viability is experienced with brumation. For most, brumation is over already, or just about done. I put my animals into brumation in December, and took them out last week. So, kind of late in the game to brumate now. It can be done, but you should shoot to keep the animals between 50-60 degrees F for 2-3 months. Obviously easier for most to get these temps in the winter time before nature warms up herself. Stop feeding and leave at normal temps for a couple of weeks to empty their digestive tracts prior to brumating. After 2-3 months, warm up, feed, and wait for the female to shed. After her post-brumation shed, the female should be giving off phermones, etc., that indicate she is ready to breed. The males pick up on these scents.

Since your male is slowing down on feeding, it could be a sign he is aware spring/love is in the air and getting more interested in ladies than food right now. Its not unusual for males of kings and corns to go off feed after brumation/in the spring due to this inclination. If both your snakes are adult sized, you may try pairing them up after the female sheds.

I hope this info helps. Good luck.