Breeding Schedule?

[R.W.]

Okay, I'm working on the whole ball python thing, and now its looking like I might not be able to pull it off this next season, but I would also like to do cornsnakes and I am pretty confident that I can get that done, I just have a couple of questions.

This is what I know so far(please correct me if I'm wrong): I stop feeding two weeks before September, September-October I turn the heat off and get the room temp down to 55F degrees and leave them alone(besides water changes every week or so), and then start to warm them up and feed a few times before they start breeding in November-?

Here are the questions(Assuming that the above info is correct): When do I start warming them up again and how do I go about doing it? After warming, how do I handle the feeding? How long do I leave the male in with the female? And how long does the actual breeding period last? November-?

When does the egg box go in and then how long do I incubate the eggs and at what temps? I will probably be using a Hovabator to get started.

I know its alot at once, but I would be extremely grateful for any help you could give.

 

[Joejr14]

My first question is this...

How in the heck, living in Texas, do you propose to get your room down to a constant 55 degrees in September? Heck, I live in CT and I had to wait until almost December before putting my adults down for brumation.

As far as how long....2-3 months in the generally accepted time frame. Shorter works, as does longer. It's a personal preference...and it's a nice break from having to feed every few days.

I think the more conventional schedule would be a Dec/Jan brumation, but it doesn't really matter. You'll just have eggs earlier, which isn't a bad thing.

When that brumation time is up, crank the temps back up. Give them some time to get used to not being frigid, and offer a smaller than normal meal (hopper perhaps). I normally do that for the first 2-3 meals and then it's back to full sized mice. You really want to offer females as much as they'll eat during this time, as it's when they really pack on the weight for breeding. They will shed about a month after coming out of brumation and that's when you start to introduce the male.

You can either cohab the male with the female for a few days at a time, or just put them in for a few hours until you see confirmed evidence. Aim for 2-3 breeding spaced about 24-48 hours apart, and then no more. Keep feeding the female until she refuses. She'll shed again and that's when you put in a lay box. Eggs are normally laid 7-14 days after.