Home >> Reptiles >> Snakes >> Garter Snake & Ribbon Snake
Reproduction of the Garter Snake & Ribbon Snake
There are always varying opinions as to how best to achieve a successful mating. It is certainly worth introducing the male to the female immediately after hibernation. If that is not successful, then frequent reintroductions should be tried, particularly after either sex has shed. Or you can use this approach that is rather unscientific: just leave them together and let them get on with it. Those with more voyeuristic tendencies are advised to avoid this technique as not uncommonly the female(s) become gravid without mating having been observed.
Mating is along the usual colubrid line of courtship. Successful mating results in a visible seminal plug or a gaping of the female's cloaca.
It is usually a month or so after mating before pregnancy becomes obvious. A lumpiness can be felt in the ventral aspect of the female's mid-body. This is best felt when her muscles are relaxed by letting her gently run through the hands. As the pregnancy progresses the swelling becomes more pronounced and moves towards the tail. She often stops feeding in the second half of her pregnancy, after initially eating voraciously.
Live birth usually occurs 90 to 100 days after mating. The female should be alone, in a secure, escape proof (for babies!) cage, and there should be plenty of cover for the babies to prevent injury from the mother. Some breeders advocate a 'nesting box' with damp sphagnum moss inside - this may stimulate the mother into giving birth, and also assists the young with their first shed. The young are immediately independent and many start to feed within a day or two. Shedding can be from day 1 to day 10.