Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bred my 3 female scarlet kings last year and got 4 broods of about 25 total newborns, BUT I never saw them breed....
Today I found the male with his tail aligned parallel to the female but no copulation or hemipenis showing..however he had his has his mouth clamped on her body about 1/3 down from the head....the female was motionless, and he released her after I disturbed her to make sure it was foreplay and not dinnertime...I know lizards do a love bite clamp thing but do snakes also, esp milksnakes???THANKS

It is very common. Mexican Milks (annulata) are the most notorius for exhibiting this behavior. I've seen a few other species do it as well but not as much as the annulata do.

Wayne Sanders

thanks for the reply....it was quite a surprise since I never heard of it....and knowing their reputation for possibly being cannabalistic I got concerned....I must admit, It was pretty cool looking....

>>I bred my 3 female scarlet kings last year and got 4 broods of about 25 total newborns, BUT I never saw them breed....
>>Today I found the male with his tail aligned parallel to the female but no copulation or hemipenis showing..however he had his has his mouth clamped on her body about 1/3 down from the head....the female was motionless, and he released her after I disturbed her to make sure it was foreplay and not dinnertime...I know lizards do a love bite clamp thing but do snakes also, esp milksnakes???THANKS

Very common milksnake mating behaviour. Here's a couple of annulata mating and the male is really clamping down behind her head!

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Chris Harrison

I love annulata Such an undemanding milksnake.
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Mark G

np