How to Breed Grass Snakes

Legend has it that Saint Patrick rid Ireland of snakes many centuries ago. If he did, he may have banished at least some of them to mainland UK, where the grass snake currently resides as the largest native reptile. The grass snake (Natrix natrix) can grow over 6 feet long, but they are rarely seen that large in the wild. Comparable to many snakes in the United States, the grass snake is a medium-sized nonvenomous reptile. Breeding grass snakes, like many other snakes, is difficult but can be done.

Things You'll Need

  • Compost in a gallon or larger container
  • Incubator
  • Food and homes for baby snakes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a breeding pair during brumation (the snake's period of rest similar to hibernation). Snakes should be of similar age and size, and both should be in perfect health.

    • 2

      Feed the pair heavily out of brumation and allow plenty of basking time for both snakes. The mother, especially, needs to eat a lot; the production of eggs is highly taxing on a snake's body.

    • 3

      Introduce the male to the female about 2-3 weeks after brumation, after the first skin of the season has been shed. Leave the snakes together for periods of one day at a time, 2 to 3 times a week until the mother becomes visibly gravid (egg-heavy).

    • 4

      Discontinue the introductions, and continue to feed the mother heavily. Eventually, around May or June, the mother will become restless and begin looking for somewhere to lay her eggs.

    • 5

      Provide the mother with a container full of some type of compost. A gallon sized ice cream container full of damp sphagnum moss will serve perfectly for a small or medium sized snake. A larger snake will require a larger container. Cut a hole in the side of the container about twice the girth of the snake. If you use one with a removable lid you can check it from time to time to see if she has laid, but leave the lid on when not observing.

    • 6

      Watch for the mother to lay her eggs. You will notice that she ceases feeding several days before laying. A few days to a week later, the mother will resume feeding with small meals. Do not remove the eggs until she has resumed normal meals.

    • 7

      Put the eggs in an incubator once she has resumed normal eating. Take caution not to rotate or disturb the eggs. Snake eggs are naturally adhesive to one another and should not be separated. The incubator should be set between 72 and 80 degrees on a high humidity.

    • 8

      Remove infertile eggs as they show up. They will be smaller in size and will appear yellow when in the light. They will also not adhere as well to the other eggs.

    • 9

      Observe as the eggs hatch after about 10 weeks. Leave the snake babies in the incubator until all have hatched and they have started shedding.

    • 10

      Put each snake in it's own home and begin feeding small meals. Baby grass snakes are immediately independent after hatching and will fare well without parental guidance.