I recently bought a pair of (baby) gray banded king snakes to raise and breed in the future. My only concern is their from the same clutch. Does this matter? The guy I bought them from said it doesn't matter but I would like to make sure. Because if not I'll have to get another male or female. If you have experience breeding I'd appreciate any advice. I'd rather find out now then 2 years down the road when I start breeding. Thank you.
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Breeding King Snakes
dasnakeguy
Oct 09, 2003 02:37 PM
Replies (2)
lassiter
Oct 09, 2003 08:09 PM
Breeding siblings is not always recommended, but is done regularly. I, myself, have bred siblings with much success. I believe that if they are the first generation to breed together then all should be fine. Deformities and other problems will occur if continued inbreeding takes place generation after generation. On another note, at two years of age a Mexicana complex snake (although alterna are not considered in the complex anymore)may not breed. It usually takes three years for them to mature before breeding. I usually wait until the female has had a levelling off in her growth rate then attempt hibernation and breeding. 80% of all my Thayeri, Greeri, Ruthveni, Alterna and Mexicana Mexicana usually breed thier third year. Seldom do I have luck the second year. Others may have, but not I. If you feed more often than weekly then you may have better luck, but I do not recommend breeding an undersized female. It could cause deformities and other problems. It can also stunt the female's growth (I am told).
Good Luck and have fun breeding. Waiting is the hardest part.
John Lassiter
John Q
Oct 11, 2003 11:23 PM
It doesn't matter but you should have asked if the breeders were related. A few years back when graybands were the hottest item on KS, the best breeders were proud to offer F2, F3, and even F4 stock. Second, third, and fourth generation. To produce these you are breeding related sibling to sibling or sibling back to a parent. They were breeding related stock. There can be problems and when it did show up, they would introduce new blood. If your snakes are related and their parents are related, it may be ok but it may not. You have to try and find out.
