Breeding Garter Snakes
When is has been decided to maintain an animal in captivity, it is necessary to offer it a series of conditions so that it can adapt to this conditions with the smallest amount of stress possible.
These conditions of maintenance derive from prior observation of their conduct and of the animal physiological needs. Once this is achieved it is very probable the moment has arrived in which the animals are physiologically prepared for reproduction without problems. Snakes do hibernate during the cold period, from mid September to April. This recess period is necessary to stimulate the sperm production on the male and to induce ovulation on the female.
During the summer, the couple begins the courtship which marks an antecedent even if Coupling is seldom noticed. Then, once the cold period starts, each animal is place in individual terrariums. Once the hibernation period ends the female would lay her eggs fertilized the previous summer.
Before placing the animals in the terrarium they should be giving an internal anti parasite (febendazole*) treatment. This is administered by oral way, with a mixture proportion of 50 mg/Kg . 40 mg are to be administered to the female administered and 18 mg to the male. Animals originating from the wild often are full of parasites, mainly nematodes. So it is necessary to carry out a correct ridding of parasites especially if it is prior to copulation.