Eastern Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
Eastern garter snakes are relatively small medium sized snakes and grow up to four feet long. The snakes are found in different colours and are accompanied with interesting breeding facts that you ought to know.
Like human beings and cows’ eastern garter snakes, display certain characters that will notify you that the reptile is ready for reproduction, this includes courtship and the snake will stop eating for two weeks. The fasting is vital in that it clears the stomach of any food that may rot in the stomach. Before courting several male snakes will move around one female snake because when a female snake wants to reproduce, it will release a certain scent that will attract male snakes, forming what is known as breeding ball especially around railroads. One male snake will finally manage to court a female snake.
The eastern garter snakes hibernate from one period to the other. During hibernation period especially during winter season, the rate of sperm production is relatively high. After courting which is characterized by the male snake following the female regularly and rubbing itself against the female snake on the neck, and stimulation of the later, lasts for about ten seconds. This period happens to be the first phase of courtship followed by the second phase which is very intense, lasts for about fifteen minutes and ends at a sexual activity. Remember eastern garter snakes mate immediately after hibernation.
Like human beings and cows’ eastern garter snakes, display certain characters that will notify you that the reptile is ready for reproduction, this includes courtship and the snake will stop eating for two weeks. The fasting is vital in that it clears the stomach of any food that may rot in the stomach. Before courting several male snakes will move around one female snake because when a female snake wants to reproduce, it will release a certain scent that will attract male snakes, forming what is known as breeding ball especially around railroads. One male snake will finally manage to court a female snake.
The eastern garter snakes hibernate from one period to the other. During hibernation period especially during winter season, the rate of sperm production is relatively high. After courting which is characterized by the male snake following the female regularly and rubbing itself against the female snake on the neck, and stimulation of the later, lasts for about ten seconds. This period happens to be the first phase of courtship followed by the second phase which is very intense, lasts for about fifteen minutes and ends at a sexual activity. Remember eastern garter snakes mate immediately after hibernation.
A male garter snake penetrates a female snake with one of his hemi-penises, and once inside her the hemi-penis enlarges thus leading to copulation. After the sexual between the male and female snake the female snake leaves to find a suitable place to give birth and also in search of food that she will be able to feed on. The eggs are then fertilized after winter passed it is also an amazing fact that a female snake can keep male snake sperms for years without fertilization occurring. The female snake doesn’t lay eggs but instead gives birth to live baby snakes which are nine inches long.
Amazingly more than fifty snakes can be born at once but sadly few survive because the baby snakes are food to many predators such as larger snakes and the hawk. A whole mating period can last for sixteen clean hours. And breeding takes place in the month of March and April and a gestation period lasts for three months. The female snakes incubates her babies in the abdomen, this is place she considers safe and more conducive for reproduction of healthy snake babies.
Upon giving birth to live baby snakes, unlike other mammals the baby snakes re fully independent and can feed on their own. The largest number that eastern garter snake can produce is 98, while the least number that a garter snake can produce is 3. These indeed are amazing facts about the breeding of eastern garter snakes. The eastern garter snake is given dental treatment and vaccine against horse mud fever.
Amazingly more than fifty snakes can be born at once but sadly few survive because the baby snakes are food to many predators such as larger snakes and the hawk. A whole mating period can last for sixteen clean hours. And breeding takes place in the month of March and April and a gestation period lasts for three months. The female snakes incubates her babies in the abdomen, this is place she considers safe and more conducive for reproduction of healthy snake babies.
Upon giving birth to live baby snakes, unlike other mammals the baby snakes re fully independent and can feed on their own. The largest number that eastern garter snake can produce is 98, while the least number that a garter snake can produce is 3. These indeed are amazing facts about the breeding of eastern garter snakes. The eastern garter snake is given dental treatment and vaccine against horse mud fever.