Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am debating whether or not to breed this pair in 2012 (see "yearlings", below.

The male is 44 inches, the female is 43 inches, at 13 months old. Their mother prolapsed twice while laying in 2010, requiring a couple of trips to the vet. She was given calcium injections, and only 8 out of 20 eggs ended up hatching. She was just under two years old and is now retired from breeding due to her prolapsing.

Could prey size (calcium content) have anything to do with it? She is eating adult mice now. I think she will be big enough, but would appreciate any thoughts or experiences regarding the prevention of egg binding and prolapsing.

Thanks.
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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) corn snakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded king snakes, blairs phase, 2008
0.0.18 Gray-banded king snakes, 2011
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, w/c 2000 and something

Colossians 3:17

When I said "she is eating adult mice", I was refering to the yearling female.
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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) corn snakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded king snakes, blairs phase, 2008
0.0.18 Gray-banded king snakes, 2011
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, w/c 2000 and something

Colossians 3:17

If the female is 43 inches, then she is large enough to breed now. She will certainly grow even more by the time she lays eggs next year. No one can predict if she will have any problems laying, but I would not hesitate to breed her. Just my opinion. How big was the mom when she prolapsed?
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

Jorge, the mom who prolapsed last year was between 3.5 and 4 feet. She was in good condition, as far as I could tell.

I am fairly new as this. Prior to breeding her in 2010, I had bred another female back in 2004 and 2005, with no problems.

Both females were almost 2 years old at their first breeding.
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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) corn snakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded king snakes, blairs phase, 2008
0.0.17 Gray-banded king snakes, 2011
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, w/c 2000 and something

Colossians 3:17

>>When I said "she is eating adult mice", I was refering to the yearling female.
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>>Kent
>>

Since it was the mother that prolapsed and not the female in question, I don't see any reason not to breed them. They look nice and healthy and large enough.
But....
Are they actually yearlings? Did they hatch last season and have already grown to over 40 inches?
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Corn snakes and rat snakes...No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
Draybars Snakes

Yes, they hatched in August 2010. Bred, born and raised by me. I don't feel like I power-fed them, just fed them when they were hungry.

Thanks.
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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) corn snakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded king snakes, blairs phase, 2008
0.0.17 Gray-banded king snakes, 2011
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, w/c 2000 and something

Colossians 3:17

Was the mom outcrossed or is the current female the result of some linebreeding / inbreeding?

The mom was bred to an unrelated male. The pair in question are clutch-mates.
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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) corn snakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded king snakes, blairs phase, 2008
0.0.17 Gray-banded king snakes, 2011
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, w/c 2000 and something

Colossians 3:17

>>The mom was bred to an unrelated male. The pair in question are siblings

I think I'd proceed and not expect any problems. I'm assuming that in addition to mineral supplements your animals have ample-sized housing.

But if this female experiences the same probs as the mom (AND if none of your other females do) I think you should ONLY outbreed this line in the future, and maybe even consider culling the line.

Good luck with them.

I have not used mineral supplements. What do you recommend, and how is it given?

I have all of my snakes in large tanks, so they have plenty of room to move around.

Thanks.
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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) corn snakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded king snakes, blairs phase, 2008
0.0.17 Gray-banded king snakes, 2011
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, w/c 2000 and something

Colossians 3:17

For your advice.
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Kent

1.1 Hypo (het lavender, striped) corn snakes, 2010
1.2 Gray-banded king snakes, blairs phase, 2008
0.0.17 Gray-banded king snakes, 2011
1.1 Oregon rubber boas, w/c 2000 and something

Colossians 3:17