Need Info on Breeding Milksnakes

[frankykeno]

Our daughter Beth owns a lovely female Albino Nelson's Milksnake. Emi was hatched on July 31, 2005 so she's coming on 2 years old. Beth would like to purchase a nice male this year, a 100% het for Albino to eventually breed Emi too. We are having a bit of trouble finding a lot of information on breeding Nelson's Milksnakes though so would appreciate some of your wisdom here folks.

What age should Emi be before she's allowed to breed for the first time?
Is there a weight range we should be also taking into consideration?
Is there also an appropriate minimum age for her male mate?
Anyone know a good link or two to direct me to?

We'd like to start Beth off right on her first snake breeding experience so her first step should be educating herself (and us too). We treasure Emi and want to make sure we know as much as we should so it's a good experience all around.

[MPenn]

What age should Emi be before she's allowed to breed for the first time?
Is there a weight range we should be also taking into consideration?
Is there also an appropriate minimum age for her male mate?
Anyone know a good link or two to direct me to?

I would think that Emi would be better off being 3-4 years old at her first breeding. If she is a quick grower, 3, but if you are going to pick up a male this year, she could be 4 before he is big enough to breed.
I have never taken into account weights as I just get a feel for the snake and now if she is big enough or not.
Males will generally breed at 18-24 months old. If you were to pick up a male this year, when he is big enough, so should Emi.
The main thing to remember is to make sure that they have good weight prior to the winter hibernation.

I would suggest this book, Kingsnakes and Milksnakes by Richard D. Bartlett and Ronald G. Markel.
This would give her something educational to read as well.

[frankykeno]

Oh excellent! Thanks so much for this information. We'll make sure Beth gets that book, she's an avid reader and will enjoy it a lot as well as learn the ins and outs of breeding her milks. We have a couple of leads on reputable breeders that work with albino/het Nelson's so it sounds like later this summer will be a perfect time for her to get her male and start the raising up process for the next couple of years.

[muddoc]

Jo, in case you haven't recieved this lead yet, check out Don Soderburg at South Mountain Reptiles. Great guy, and VERY knowledgeable.

[frankykeno]

Oh thank you Tim, I'll add his name to Bethie's list. I really appreciate the recommendation, especially when one is dealing with hets.