Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
Among a lot of other snakes I keep a pair of captive born Nerodia fasciata.
They were fairly small, when I got them, but now has grown to about 65 cm (about 2 feet)
They are absolutely not animals, that I want to prey on, and I have this image in my mind, that they will breed, IF I hibernate them.
So the question is. Should I hibernate them and maybe breed them next year or keep them warm and wait a year?
I really like them (these small cottonmouthlookalikes)and would not force anything. I have seen what that can turn into, so if they are too small please say so.
Best wishes
Søe

I don't know much specifically about breeding waters. But, first things first, do you know one is a male and one is a female? If they are about the same size, and ones a female then that means the female probably has a bit more growing to do. If I am not mistaken, the species you said is a banded water snake which live in the south. Since it is warm there I don't know if it is totally necesary to put them into hibernation, however you might want to get someone elses opinion on that. But ya, 2 feet for a female I think is too small. I'd say wait until it's 3 feet. Also, do you know how old they are? I think typical breeding age is 3 years I think, but it is possible to do it if they are 2 years old but growing fast. Hope some of that helps.

Hi ~
You can cool them down as you would other N. A. colubrids ~ They are both at a breedable size now. You should definately sex the snakes before you even bother with it.
There are not alot of people in America that put forth an effort to breed most types of Watersnakes. If you purchased them here in America, you likely got babies from a wild caught gravid female. Its likely that if you bought them out of USA, they were genuine captive bred. Either way, its great to see someone giving it an honest effort! Thanks, Leo
Skin & Scales

Hi
Thank you for the answer. They are a pair. That is so easy to see on the tails. No need for popping or probing in that size

They are Tjek bred probably from a gravid female. I don`t know. There are some garter snake breeders here in Europa, but not many water snake breeders. I have been looking for nice black/red Nerodia erythrogaster for many many years, but newer found any for sale. I hope that Mark Bell or Glades Herp will bring some to a show in Europe some day. Problem is that they are not designercorns. They are brought ower here bye the numbers, even they are bred here all ower.
So many nice snakes are out there, but still 95% keeps very very few of the same species. I have finally got all 3 European Natrix in my collection. Outside our local Natrix natrix has returned to my compost pile for hibernation. They were hatched there 2 years ago, and I hope they will deposit eggs there next summer. They are surely big enough 90 cm for the biggest female in 2 years, so there must be enough food.
Anyway I will hibernate the fasciata, and hope that they will breed next year.

Best wishes
Søe