Quote Originally Posted by Selkielass View Post
Without brumation your females fertility may be low... or she may surprise you with a big litter. Its hard to predict, but young couples can surprise you.
Checkereds are a little different which is one of the reasons why they are so prolific in the pet trade. Throughout much of their range, they don't brumate at all but are instead active year 'round. I know they are in Riverside co. CA. You can find active snakes there almost any time of year. They do however, get a bit cooler temps and shorter days and that triggers breeding when the days get longer and things warm up. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this full out brumation we give most garters isn't necessary for checkereds to breed prolifically. They need little to no seasonal cue to breed.

It's possible that the introduction of another snake triggered this, or the snake is getting cues from daylight coming in a window. The days are getting rapidly shorter and she might be aware of it.