Breeding Checkereds..

[OregonHerpaholic]

Hi all... just picked up a gorgeous pair of checkered garters.. Male is Albino, Female normal but possibly het for??.. Anyhoo..both are adults are more then big enough to breed. When do I start cooling them?? How long do I cool them? Together, or separate?? Is there something special for garter snakes compared to say like corns snakes?? With corns, I cool for 3 months, then "him" them at 'em.. But never even thought of garters before now.. Want to make sure I get this right..

Any tips/ Advice would be great.

Thanks in advance,

Billie

[Snake lover 3-25]

i have never bred before........ but good luck

[gregmonsta]

I know a few breeders that don't cool them ... infact I have never cooled a snake and I beleive that it's even less important for some garters - especially checkereds who will not do so in some parts of their range and will remain active the year round.

[ssssnakeluvr]

seasonal temps do cool down, not as much as northern temps, but does cool. brumation is recommended, better chance for successful breeding. take them off food for 2 weeks to make sure digestive system is clear, any food left will ferment and kill the snake. put them in a cool place for 3 months, check onthem regularly, weekly at least, leave a water bowl in there also. after 3 months warm them up and put them together. when checking on them, look for weight loss, if they start getting noticeable weight loss, bring them out and get them eating.

[infernalis]

Don nailed it down good!