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cornsnakes, do i hibernate or not ? whats the best way?

Posted By:

mangrovemarine

In Relation To:

CORN MALE

this is the first year that i am going to breed my corn snakes and ive seen a lot of differant views on this website relating to people hibernating there corns do i or dont i hibernate them. i've seen people on here that just put the two togather and some that just do a simple cooling and some a full on hibernation period which one works the best , and or does it even matter ... like i said its my first time and just weighing the options and looking around to learn more about all of this ? so if anyone out there can give me any advise on getting them babys that would be great thanks!!!


Points:	150
Topics:	General Health , Cycling
Tags:	Cornsnakes
Species:	Other Colubrids > Other Colubrids > Elaphe guttata guttata
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Accepted Answer

12/28/2009 9:02:38 AM

FyreFocks

Corn snakes will breed without any period of cooling whatsoever. However the clutch might be on the smallish side or all the eggs might not be fertile.

I lower the temps in my snake room into the low 60s for 8 weeks. I also stop feeding and turn off all the lights. This seems to work just fine for me. Last year i had decent sized clutches and good fertility rates. Ive heard of people cooling with temps into the 40s, but that just scares me.

Member Comment

12/28/2009 11:27:03 AM

Lashman

I've found proper cooling really helped clutch size and fertility. I set snake room wall thermostat to 50 and unplug light timers. I keep baby rack thermostat on for those not burmating, I like to skip their first two winters. Of course you want good healthy snakes than have been eating good and not feed for a couple weeks to empty their system! I used to go Thanksgiving to Valentines but now basicly Nov. through Jan. I now get a 100% hatch rate will 18 egg clutch average!
I believe finding right and capatable pair also helps alot. Just like us, some are lousy breeders!
Of course, one beauty of corns is they can breed and all you need is a mature pair together!
Now once you have fertile eggs there's alittle more work and waiting!

Member Comment

12/28/2009 11:30:35 AM

Lashman

Forgot to say that when you warm them back up to feed heavily. Like in nature you want them to think it's a plentiful year and they should mutiply!

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