Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have four 2 and 1/2 year old corns and I would like to breed this month in my class. They did not burmate this winter. I missed by opportunity to let them burmate with some caging issues. I realize that this might not be a successful venture without the burmation. Do I just put the male in the female tank? How long do you leave him in there? Do you feed them before mating? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Also, is there a time that they are most likey to mate? And is it appropriate for fifth graders to watch? I never saw mating before and don't know what to expect.

Thanks!

Brian

Just put them together and sit back. Its best to put the female in with the male but it really doesnt matter. If you do this shortly after she sheds you may have better results. As for 5th graders, uuummmmmmmmmmm. Ive only bred my snakes once but the males hemipene satyed out for a good while after mating. The act is more fascinating than anything. I guess it depends on the kids. Good luck.

EP
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Occupants not paying rent:
7 balls
2.1.10 corns(candy cane, creamsicle, ghost, 6 normal, 4 anery )
1 pueblan milk
1 everglades rat
1 cal. king
1 gray band king
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
1 fish
1 mouse
3.3 cats

Hiya.

Corns are usually mature at three, but the critical factor is whether the female is at a suitable bodyweight (too small and she could have problems with laying/egg-binding). How much does your lady weigh? Are they both physically the same size?

I breed mine without brumating so I think it's a "nice to have" rather than a necessity (seems to improve fertility).

Bear in mind that Corns are most active at dawn and dusk, so your class might miss the mating anyway.

Make sure you monitor them carefully all the time they're together. If they've never shared accommodation before, you could find that they take a dislike to each other and you might need to separate them in a hurry. With any luck the mating instinct will rule, but better safe than sorry. One important point is also to make sure that they've both eaten in the preceding five days, just to be absolutely on the safe side.

I agree that the best time to introduce them is immediately after the female has shed - they seem to give off really strong pheramones at that point.

Also, if you intend to hatch the eggs that they produce, make sure that you have a way of selling the babes. The worst year for me was when I hatched 30 eggs, only for the dealer to back out and leave me with a lot of hungry mouths to feed.

Good luck - let us know how it goes and whether your class enjoy the lesson!

I don't know their weight - No decent scales in my school. Someday I will get one. However, They are over 4 and 1/2 feet long and I think they are big enough for this process.
- Move the male or female?
- How long do I leave them together?
- Should I do it now? February?
The four snakes lived together for a little over a year, so I hope they remember each other. I have students lined up to take any hatchlings(They will be trained on proper care).

Thanks for any thoughts!
Brian