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Thought I'd share my first experience of my Florida Kingsnakes breeding. I noticed last winter both decided to cool themselves so I turned off the heat and left them alone for about 6 weeks. After heating them back up and feeding I introduced the male and in March and did'nt observe any mating but this time there was no frantic trying to get away by the female as I've observed in past years (no cooling). In April I introduced them again and they mated (4/14 and 4/26). On 6/2 she laid 14 eggs several of which were obviously bad.
So after nearly two months of watching several more eggs mold and collapse and with low expectations I was pretty thrilled to see a little head poking out on the 28th of this month. Two more yesterday and three more eggs to go (one of which is sure to go).
I know this is old hat but for me its exciting so I thought I'd share. Here are some picks:
My big male is the last picture (he's a beast)
Female laying her eggs:

First one out:

First one came out last night.
'Don't mess with me':
.
Thanks for looking,
Paul

Always great to see babies. I tell you what, there's not many of my snakes I'd trust next to my feet like the one pictured on the floor. I have a few crazy stories to tell in that department!
Tom Stevens
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TomsSnakes.com

Thanks Tom,
That male is the only snake I have that has nailed me but that was because I hand feed him and he 'missed'. He is my favorite snake.
Snake attacking feet stories are good, you should share!
Paul

np

..

Good for you and good luck. I have only bred my Florida 3 times (she is 8 years old). The first time I drowned all the eggs. Two years later I bred her again and all 17 eggs hatched. This year I did not breed her but bred my 4 year old Eastern for the firt time. Funny thing is she laid 17 eggs like my Florida did the second time. Well, I am waiting for them to hatch now. She laid around 5/31 not much before yours but my temps were a bit cooler here in Chicago than they were in Texas at the same time. I am hoping to see some heads poking out soon as well. Good luck again!

>>Thought I'd share my first experience of my Florida Kingsnakes breeding. I noticed last winter both decided to cool themselves so I turned off the heat and left them alone for about 6 weeks. After heating them back up and feeding I introduced the male and in March and did'nt observe any mating but this time there was no frantic trying to get away by the female as I've observed in past years (no cooling). In April I introduced them again and they mated (4/14 and 4/26). On 6/2 she laid 14 eggs several of which were obviously bad.
>>So after nearly two months of watching several more eggs mold and collapse and with low expectations I was pretty thrilled to see a little head poking out on the 28th of this month. Two more yesterday and three more eggs to go (one of which is sure to go).
>>I know this is old hat but for me its exciting so I thought I'd share. Here are some picks:
>>My big male is the last picture (he's a beast)
>>Female laying her eggs:
>>
>>
>>First one out:
>>
>>

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1.1 Florida King
1.1 Eastern Kings
1.1 Black Milksnake
0.1 Honduran
1.1 Kankakee Bull Snakes
2.2 N. Pinesnake
0.0.1 Black Ratsnake
1.0 Chow Chow (2003 Papi)
0.1 Cats (Shug)

Thanks Joe,
My temps ranged from 77 to 85 during the incubation (I live in Northern California) and averaged around 81 for the most part. The last obviously good egg is hatching as I write leaving two left that are questionable. Now if I can just leave them alone (hard not to peek).
Post your Easterns when they pip.
Paul