Are you ready to embark on an exhilarating journey into the world of garter snake breeding? Get ready to witness nature's finest show right before your eyes!
In this informative beginner's guide, we're going to take you through the steps of breeding garter snakes with excellence, ensuring the happiness and well-being of both the parents and the offspring.
The Perfect Breeding Setup
To make your snake love nest, we like to use a separate breeding enclosure or a "breeding tank." Make it spacious enough for both the Romeo and Juliet of the snake world to move around with ease. Don't forget to add some classy hiding spots to provide that much-needed privacy during the passionate moments. We like to use paper towel or aspen as the substrate so that we can monitor droppings or signs of locking such as light tinges of blood.
Important note, and learn from our failure, take out ALL clutter except two light weight hides. This is to protect the male. Many times a female once locked onto can thrash around the tank which will injure a male if he gets hung up on branches or other items in the tank.
Playing Matchmaker
Now it's time to play Cupid and facilitate some snake courtship and mating action. Watch in awe as the male garter snake struts his stuff, rubbing his chin against the female, riding her back or even getting their bodies all intertwined. Pay close attention to the female's behavior, ensuring she is not stressed or bothered by the male's actions. If she twitches her tail, take it as a warning sign for the male to back off.
Once the female becomes gravid, the male's enthusiasm takes a nosedive and he loses interest faster than day-old pizza. You can now take him out of the enclosure and put him back with his male friends.
Managing the Expecting Mother
After the steamy encounter, the female garter snake will possibly become gravid. Create a comfortable and secure space for her to gestate, complete with a cozy basking area. Don't forget to maintain the perfect temperature conditions and make fresh water available at all times.
Keep a close eye on her health and any signs leading up to the epic birthing event. As the due date approaches, you may notice scale spread and increased appetite in the female. Her belly will also become soft and squishy as the babies grow inside her. The gestation period for gravid garter snakes is approximately 70-100 days.
Below is a perfect visual of what a gravid garter snake looks like. You'll notice the very obvious scale spread.
Caring for the baby Garter Snakes
When the blessed moment finally arrives, the female will give birth to her bundle of joy - we're talking about live young snakes, of course. Expect a lively brood of anywhere from 10 to 40 hatchlings (possibly more).
First step: Carefully transfer the newborn snakes to a separate nursery enclosure, making sure to maintain the ideal heating and humidity levels for their growth and development.
Tank size: When it comes to setting up a temporary home for a bunch of young snakes, I always keep their comfort and well-being top of mind. For a smaller group, a snug 10-gallon tank works perfectly. However, if we're talking about a larger litter of 20 or more, I'll go ahead and divide them into smaller groups to keep things spacious and avoid any overcrowding issues. It's all about making sure each little snake has the chance to shine, especially when it comes time to learning how to chow down.
Setup: As for their living space, I go for a simple yet effective setup. I line the tank with paper towel, which is not only easy to clean but also provides a nice surface for the snakes. I also make sure to include a water dish that's big enough for a proper soak but shallow enough that they do not drown.
I like to provide a small patch of fake grass like this one for enrichment. It's also a great idea to add a small fake tree that helps them reach warmer temps for basking after eating.
And here's where I get creative: I like to use small dog food bowls that have a special cutout area allowing the snakes to slither under and hide away as they please. It's a great way to provide them with both shelter and quick access to a water source. All in all, a happy snake is a healthy snake, and that's always my top priority.
Shedding: When it comes to shedding, baby garter snakes usually do it right after birth, although sometimes it can happen later than expected.
Now, here's a little tip in case those cute little snakes encounter some difficulties shedding their skins: It's best to place them in a moist container for a few hours. This helps create a humid environment that can assist in the shedding process. If needed, you can try to gently help them shed their skin. However, another option is to provide them with a terrarium that has enough rough surfaces, like rocks or pieces of wood, so they can do it themselves. It's like a DIY spa day for the little ones!
Food: To ensure the healthy development of baby garter snakes, we recommend introducing them to a diverse range of food options. This not only helps us determine their preferences but also establishes a well-balanced diet consisting of whole prey. Some suitable food items to offer include chopped pinkies, chicken hearts, chicken thighs, silversides, and frozen-thawed worms. By providing this variety, we can ensure that the baby garter snakes receive the necessary nutrients for their growth and overall well-being.
I offer the baby snakes their very first meal a few days after birth. However, during feeding time, I keep a close eye on them because garter snakes can get a bit feisty when it comes to food. You see, their excitement over a tasty meal can sometimes lead to conflicts. While this can be beneficial in sparking interest among others, it can also be dangerous if two snakes start going after the same piece of food. So, if a brawl breaks out, it's important to act swiftly and gently separate them to avoid any harm.
To keep their bellies full and bodies growing, I offer them food every 3 days. It's all about developing healthy eating habits and keeping those adorable snakes thriving.
Conclusion:
Breeding garter snakes is an adventure that will fill your life with joy and wonder. By understanding the reptilian reproductive cycle, creating perfect snake love nests, orchestrating the mating dance, caring for expecting mothers, nurturing the newborns, and staying engaged with the snake-loving community, you'll set the stage for a breeding extravaganza like no other. So dive in with passion, patience, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and get ready to witness the miracle of new life that garter snakes bring into your world. Happy breeding, you wild snake whisperer, you!