Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Anyone have any experience or input concerning the mating of male rat snakes that were brumated vs. those that were not and the resulting success of the breeding? I have heard that males that were not brumated could possibly be infertile for that season.

I have only brumated one year but the female laid all slugs..... Maybe she was old, maybe he wasn't ready, maybe it was brumation....? Guess I'll never know!
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-David Harrison-
.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1. Striped Anery Corn "V" or "5".....Has two names
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
.1 Ball Python "Rocky Ballboa" (Didn't name her!)
0.0.1 Crested Gecko "The Crested Gecko"

"Have you ever tried simply turning off the T.V., sitting down with your kids... and hitting them?"

I think it depends on where your rat snakes are from, i.e., those from southern climates don't necessarily need to be. Case in point: This past year I bred a brumated white-sided glades female to a male albino that was NOT brumated, and she laid two clutches from the mating. Got twelve babies from the first clutch of thirteen eggs and five from the second clutch of eight eggs.

I have a feeling I will brumate him this year, though, just to be on the safe side.

If you are talking about American Rat Snakes, you don't need to brumate your males for breeding, but you will save money on food for them if you do.

I breed my Blacks without cooling the male and I had no problems.

Good luck with your breeding next season.