When to start brumation?

[sketch1]

At what age (size) do you typically start brumation?

I am getting a baby corn, and was wondering, as I plan to breed her when she is of age.

Does she need to be brumated in the years prior to her breeding, or do I start brumating the year I expect her to breed?

Thanks!

 

[Kat]

You can start breeding the female when she's around 3 feet long and atleast 240 grams (as listed in Kathy Love's breeding datasheets in the Cornsnake Manual), though most say that waiting until 300 grams is better. Normally this is about two years after hatching, though I've had one case where the female grew extremely quickly (on the same feeding schedule as all the rest) and reached that size in only one year. Sometimes corns can take three years to reach adult size.

You want the female to be in good health and have good muscle tone as well, to reduce risk of eggbinding.

You don't need to brumate unless you're intending to breed your female in that particular year. Take note that cornsnakes can breed without being brumated and can also breed at a smaller size/weight than is considered good for them, so avoid introducing her to a male unless you're ready for her to become gravid.

Goodluck with your breeding plans, 2-3 years down the road.

-Kat