Things You'll Need
- Small containers
Instructions
Stop feeding the snakes as you prepare to hibernate them. You can stop feeding about two weeks before hibernation. Since the snakes will not eat for some time, make sure they are completely healthy and not too skinny before attempting to hibernate and breed them.
Separate the male and female snakes. Place each snake in a small container. Male and female gopher snakes do not look different from each other, but there are some ways to check gender internally, such as cloacal probing. This is a procedure that can be done by a professional, such as a veterinarian.
Lower the temperature of each snake's area gradually. Place the container in a cool, dark, quiet area that is between 48 and 56 degrees Fahrenheit. Since some gopher snakes are desert snakes, this temperature may need to be higher.
Wake the snakes every fifteen days, taking them out just long enough to offer them water.
Allow the snakes to hibernate for about 60 days. After 60 days, place the snakes back in their normal habitat. The temperature should also be raised back to a normal reptile level. For gopher snakes, this temperature is between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Leave the snakes to warm for two or three days.
Feed the snakes several meals. These meals should only be very small at first, to make sure the snakes are feeding correctly after hibernation. Once the snakes begin feeding normally, you can increase the size of the food until it is similar to what you were feeding them before hibernation. Feed slightly more than normal, as the snakes will most likely stop feeding when they begin breeding.
Wait for the snakes to breed. Introduce the male and female, placing them in the same habitat, if you haven't already. Some snakes may start to breed right away, while others will want to wait until they have finished shedding. Shedding often occurs directly after a hibernation period. You can help to stimulate breeding by creating an artificial rainfall. Use a spray mister to accomplish this, letting water rain down gently on the snakes.