The eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) is revered for its alert and intense nature, intelligence, and fearless but genuinely friendly temperament. It is considered by many to be the jewel of the reptile world and has a well-earned reputation as the one snake species that will form an obvious bond to its owner. Listed as […]

Since the time hominids first became Homo sapiens and used plants and animals in ways other than hunting and gathering, the practice of selective breeding began. Stated simply, selective breeding is the process of choosing certain plants or animals for particular traits and breeding them to increase the quantity and/or quality of those traits. Through

Kyle Thompson, a snake breeder from Ames, IA, was breeding boa constrictors and Burmese pythons at his home. Initially, his operations proceeded without issue until local residents discovered he was selling the reptiles. The city’s objection was not to the type of snakes he kept, but specifically to the selling of snakes from his residence.

The Honduran milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum hondurensis) is a medium-bodied snake native to the leaf litter of rain forests in Honduras, Nicaragua, and northeastern Costa Rica. It features distinctive black and red bands. Females are typically larger than males, with both sexes averaging 5 to 6 feet in length, though some individuals can reach up

Breeding emerald tree boas (Corallus caninus), although challenging, is an extremely rewarding and gratifying experience. Emerald tree boas live to between 20 and 30 years of age and reach sexual maturity in captivity between 3 and 4 years. Specifically, males can be bred as early as 3 years of age and 800g body weight; females

A Stimson’s python (Antaresia stimsoni) has successfully hatched at the Gold Coast Pet Centre in Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia, despite an egg handling mishap late last year. In November 2013, one of the store’s pythons laid a clutch of six eggs, all placed into an incubator. One egg was deemed infertile, and during its removal,

Captive propagation of the gray-banded kingsnake (Lampropeltis alterna) has occurred at least since the 1970s. Most successful propagation of this species follows the rules of temperate colubrid captive breeding. Feeding animals heavily in the summer, fall and spring, coupled with brumating them at 55 degrees Fahrenheit for two to three months in the winter, is

The Minnesota Supreme Court has declined to hear snake breeder Scott Nellis’ appeal to overturn two citations issued by the city of Coon Rapids for breeding and selling snakes from his home. Without comment, the court denied a petition for review filed by Nellis’ attorney on October 30, following the state court of appeals’ decision

Everything has gone as planned. You’ve bought a pair of baby pythons from a breeder and raised them for a couple of years. You’ve watched them grow, cared for them, cleaned them and touched things with your bare hands the likes of which your mother would not approve. You’ve fed, cooled, cycled and worried about

Breeding boa constrictors (Boa constrictor imperator) can add great excitement to keeping these reptiles. While they’re live-bearing animals and considered more challenging to breed than many other snakes, following these tips will help you produce healthy baby boas. Boa constrictors can breed when younger, but it’s best to wait until they’re about 3 years old.