Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just curious what the minimum weight/length is on a female for her to breed. I keep finding spotty information, and most of it just says a length of around 3 feet. I just want to be sure my females aren't under weight for breeding. sorry about all the dumb beginner questions, I'm just starting with corns and I'm actually finding them a little more confusing than pythons which I didn't expect at all.
-----
www.jasonrbartolettreptiles.webs.com

You are getting spotty information because females can (and will) breed at various lengths and weights. While there are some people who love to spout the "3 years old, 3 feet long and 300 gram" phrase, it's useful to keep in mind that some female (as well as male) corns NEVER reach 3 feet in length. This does not mean they shouldn't be bred - in nature Miami phase and Keys Corns routinuely breed at lengths of less than three feet.

As far as weight, you should be able to look at your snake and know if it's too skinny or not. Also, snakes that are too fat will sometimes have trouble laying eggs (presumably because they do not have enough muscle tone).

I realize that newcomers want a "cook book" recipe on exact weights and exact measurements. But the truth of the matter is that snakes are animals, and therefore subject to a great deal of variation. Not only that, but Corn Snakes in particular have a very wide range with sub-tropical examples (south Florida) and temperate examples (New Jersey). There are Okeetee races which generally are considered to be larger than average and Florida Keys races of Corn Snakes which generally are smaller than average. There is a lot of variation in Corn Snakes.

This is why Corn Snakes can breed at various sizes, ages, brumation temperatures, etc. This is why there is no "right" answer to your question. As a keeper of snakes it's up to you to be able to judge if the snake is in proper condition to breed. If you feel you cannot do this, I'd have an experienced breeder check the snakes out and tell you what to look for.

I've been breeding corn snakes for over 20 years and have produced thousands of them - I have yet to weigh one.

Tim

Third Eye

Thanks for the response. The females I plan on breeding next year (a reverse okeetee and a bloodred) are both well over three feet and both over 400 grams. They both have good muscle tone and look to me like they are the girth that a corn of that length should be. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't over looking something that could harm the snakes. Thank you for such an informative answer.
-----
www.jasonrbartolettreptiles.webs.com

female snakes are also pretty good at deciding when its good to have eggs too...if they are underweight and of ill health, most don't produce follicles or ovulate...the only real danger is if they are gravid then bad conditions make being gravid harder...and some dont' survive laying eggs or become egg bond.

If you start with healthy, active and good shape animals and ensure proper care conditions throughout gestation...feeding regularly even if the females don't take food, providing proper heat, humidity, hide/egg laying box etc...corn snakes are very easy to breed.

If you want, post current pictures of your snakes, along with something to give an idea of size (ie an easily recognized object to judge size with...like a dollar bill, pop can etc). Then you can the benefit of long time breeders to judge on the visual condition of your snakes.
-----
PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

Sorry, the reverse okeetee is in shed.

-----
www.jasonrbartolettreptiles.webs.com

I love the deep red color of that Blood!
-----
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

Very beautiful, especially the bloodred. Both look to be good weights and sizes...the female (can't remember if you indicated which was which) could use a little extra weight...but if she is good with eating while breeding till she just gets too full of eggs, there won't be any problems.

For feeding gravid females just reduce the size of prey item she would normally eat...makes it easier for her to have room for it and I think they are more likely to eat a prey item. You can just offer a little more often than typically.
-----
PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

>>Thanks for the response. The females I plan on breeding next year (a reverse okeetee and a bloodred) are both well over three feet and both over 400 grams. They both have good muscle tone and look to me like they are the girth that a corn of that length should be. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't over looking something that could harm the snakes. Thank you for such an informative answer.
>>-----
>>www.jasonrbartolettreptiles.webs.com

those sound like nice healthy specimens. Should do fine.
Like Tim, I never weigh my snakes. I wouldn't know if mine are 100 or 600 grams. I do know if they are healthy for their length which is good enough for me. Yeah that 3ft 300 gram rule would probably mean a couple of mine would never breed. I've never seen one in the wild carrying scales or a tape measure...lol

-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes...No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

Is that a Coral snow Jimmy?
-----
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

>>Is that a Coral snow Jimmy?
>>-----
>>King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
>> J Sierra

nope just a nicely colored snow
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes...No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

You took the words right out of my mouth, lol. If I had to tell someone when to breed their Corn, I would say that typically if they are feeding well all year long then they should be able to breed after 3 years. However I have bred many after 2 years. But I look at each animal on an individual basis.
-----
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

....HAHAA!!,......just kidding folks!

The advice given by the other's was absolutely spot-on!!

~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

You got me, Doug. I was getting ready to jump all over that one! LOL

I hear ya man, and it would be well-deserved too!

Hey Jim, check your email!. I just sent you a reply a bit ago.

take care!

~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Doug forgot to mention parental consent as the fourth requirement. Yea, I know, BOO. Steve

HAHAA!,....good one Steve!. Legally, I believe less than two feet(24" constitutes "statutory rape" in the cornsnake manual (Section 17 paragraph 31b) penal code..LOL!

~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

my website -serpentinespecialties.webs.com