Accidental Breeding -- Help!

[Sonya610]

Okay so this morning my little Flame is laying on top of the 16 mo old Red Spotted Garter....

At first I thought "That is so cute" then realized...."Wait! What are they doing?" (I thought they were both males).

So what happens now? She is only 16 months old, will the breeding take? Or is she too young? How long is the gestation? If she is pregnant will the litter be small due to her small size and young age?

Obviously I am separating them. If she is pregnant this creates an ugly situation that I am not looking forward to dealing with.

[kibakiba]

Have you seen a lock up? The female normally drags the male arounds. There could have been a lockup even if you didn't see it. Gestation is 3 months. She is really young, but some people claim that they can breed at an age around that.
If she is pregnant and has a litter... Make sure that they can not breed, not together, not with any other snake. Some might put the babies down immediately, but I'm against it. There are people here who would be willing to adopt the babies just to give them a life where they can be happy, but have no chance of breeding.

[Sonya610]

Yeah they were definitely locked up. If she is pregnant I know about the concern over cross breeds, I would likely decide to keep a couple and euthanize the others immediately because I know if I start raising them "hoping" to find them homes I could end up with 20 snakes.

These are my only two garters, only reptiles for that matter, I am not a big time herp collector with a snake room and such (and I don't want to be, I have 6 dogs, mostly rescues that demand a lot of attention).

[kimbosaur]

I disagree with euthenizing the babies as well. It wasn't their fault that they were brought into this situation. Yes, it was no doubt an accident, but it was an accident on your part. It was a risk you took when you decided to house different species together, and it seems unethical to make the snakes pay for your accident. At the same time, it would also be unethical if they were to end up in the wrong hands...

It's your decision and it's a tough one to make. At least you're willing to go through putting them down rather than selling them off to random homes.

[Sonya610]

I disagree with euthenizing the babies as well. It wasn't their fault that they were brought into this situation..

Realistically I don't know if I could actually do it, if they were sluggish unaware little newborns maybe, but I suspect that is not the case. I have never bred any animal (even my show dogs years ago), I rescue, I do not breed. If the litter was small I could probably keep them, but 20 snakes is another matter entirely.

How often do these breedings take? Is it hit or miss as to whether she conceives? I don't know anything about snake breeding.

[kerensa]

This is unfortunate indeed. I also disagree with euthanizing the young. I would also disagree with euthanizing kittens simply because they were a cross breed. At least you do not plan on releasing them.
There very well may be people here who would give them homes.

[kerensa]

It is possible that they are not fertile together. That is the best hope. next best is that there are few young. full gestation is around 90 days. (I've not bred, but that is what I've read) Next best hope is that you can find homes for single young with individuals here. Next best is that you keep them. last is that you euthanize them via CO2.

yes they will likely be alert, active little things full of curiosity and wonder- like any other baby.

[Selkielass]

With young snakes and no brumation, it is quite likely that their fertility is low.
separate them and wait and see if the female even flattens up. Even if she does, few or no viable young may result.
Don’t panic and don’t feel guilty. Do the best you can given your situation and available options.

[kibakiba]

I'll take in one of the babies in if you'll be willing to ship it off to me. I'll pay for the shipping, too. That is, if she is gravid and has any babies you don't want.

[MCwyo]

Bummer! I'd hate to see the babies get put down, but I completely understand that keeping 20+ babies is not practical. I'd be happy to give one a home, for the cost of shiping, if she dose end up preggers.

Just out of curiosity, dose crossbreeding ever happen in the wild? I would think that it would be bound to naturally occur at least once in a while, especially when there is such a habitat/region overlap for many of the species.