How to Breed and Sell Corn Snakes

Getting Started With Corn Snake Breeding

Breeding corn snakes can be a rewarding hobby and even a small side business for dedicated reptile enthusiasts. Corn snakes are one of the easiest snake species to breed in captivity, which is why there are so many stunning color morphs available today. But before you start pairing snakes and incubating eggs, it is important to understand the process, the time commitment, and the financial realities of corn snake breeding.

Choosing Your Breeding Stock

The foundation of any breeding project starts with healthy, high quality animals. Both your male and female corn snakes should be mature, well fed, and free from any health issues. Female corn snakes should be at least 3 years old and weigh a minimum of 300 grams before breeding. Males can breed younger and smaller, but they should still be at least 2 years old and in good body condition.

When choosing breeding pairs, think about what morphs you want to produce. Understanding corn snake genetics is important for predicting what the babies will look like. Simple morph combinations can produce beautiful results, while more complex projects involving multiple recessive genes require careful planning and sometimes multiple generations of breeding to achieve your goals.

The Brumation Period

Most corn snake breeders use a brumation (cooling) period to trigger breeding behavior. Starting in late fall or early winter, gradually reduce the enclosure temperature to around 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit over a period of two weeks. Maintain these cooler temperatures for 6 to 12 weeks. During brumation, the snakes will not eat and will be much less active than normal. Always provide fresh water during this period.

After the brumation period, gradually return temperatures to normal over another two week period. Once the snakes are warm and active again, offer food and allow them to eat several meals before introducing the male to the female. Brumation is not absolutely required for corn snake breeding, but it significantly increases the success rate.

Introducing the Pair

Once both snakes have had a few post brumation meals and are in good condition, you can introduce the male into the female’s enclosure. Mating behavior usually begins relatively quickly, with the male pursuing the female and aligning his body alongside hers. Successful mating can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.

You can leave the male with the female for a few days or introduce them multiple times over a period of weeks to increase the chances of successful fertilization. Always supervise the initial introduction to make sure neither snake shows signs of aggression, though corn snakes are generally very peaceful during mating.

Egg Laying

About 4 to 6 weeks after successful mating, the female will begin to show signs that she is gravid (carrying eggs). Her body will visibly swell in the midsection, and she may become more restless as egg laying approaches. Provide a moist hide or lay box filled with damp sphagnum moss or vermiculite where she can deposit her eggs.

A typical corn snake clutch contains 10 to 30 eggs, depending on the size and age of the female. After laying, the female will leave the eggs and will not provide any parental care. Remove the eggs carefully and transfer them to an incubation container.

Incubating the Eggs

Corn snake eggs should be incubated at 78 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity. Many breeders use a simple setup with damp vermiculite or perlite in a plastic container placed inside an incubator. The key is maintaining consistent temperature and humidity. Eggs that get too hot, too cold, or too dry may not develop properly.

Do not rotate or flip the eggs once you have placed them in the incubation medium. Mark the top of each egg with a pencil so you can maintain their orientation if you need to move them. Incubation typically takes 55 to 75 days, with most eggs hatching around the 60 day mark.

Caring for Hatchlings

When baby corn snakes hatch, they will be about 8 to 12 inches long. Set up individual small enclosures for each hatchling with appropriate hiding spots, water, and proper temperatures. Hatchlings will usually not eat until after their first shed, which occurs about 7 to 10 days after hatching. After that first shed, offer small pinky mice.

Some hatchlings may be reluctant to eat at first. Common tricks to encourage feeding include scenting the pinky mouse with lizard scent, leaving the food item in the enclosure overnight, and making sure the baby feels secure in its setup. Most corn snake hatchlings start eating readily once they settle in.

Selling Your Corn Snakes

Once your baby corn snakes are eating consistently and have had several successful meals, they are ready to be sold. There are several ways to sell captive bred corn snakes. Local reptile expos and shows are one of the best venues for selling snakes directly to buyers. Online marketplaces dedicated to reptiles, like MorphMarket, are another popular option. Social media groups focused on reptile keeping and buying can also connect you with potential customers.

Pricing depends heavily on the morph. Normal colored corn snakes sell for $20 to $40, while popular morphs can sell for $50 to $200 or more. Rare or complex morphs can command significantly higher prices. Being honest about your snakes’ genetics, providing accurate feeding records, and having a good reputation in the community will help you build a successful breeding business.

Financial Realities

It is important to be realistic about the financial side of corn snake breeding. Most small scale breeders do not make significant profits, especially in the early years. The costs of purchasing quality breeding stock, setting up enclosures, buying incubation equipment, feeding all your snakes, and attending expos add up quickly. Many breeders consider it a hobby that pays for itself rather than a money making venture.

That said, breeders who focus on in demand morphs, build a good reputation, and manage their costs carefully can turn a reasonable profit. The key is treating it as a long term endeavor rather than expecting quick returns. Building a reputation takes time, and the reptile community values breeders who prioritize the health of their animals above all else.

Frequently Asked Questions