Just as with lizards, it is essential to know the natural conditions of your pet snake’s place of origin. Many snakes need a session of hibernation before they are ready for mating. Others may have the ability to breed at any time of the year (eg. corn snakes) but will usually be more predictable and successful following environmental temperature manipulation.

Following the recommended hibernation period and once the temperature has been increased to one appropriate for breeding, start feeding the snakes heavily - although still keeping males and females separated. The female will often shed at this point, which is a good signal for introducing it to the male’s enclosure. If you have cannibalistic species, such as king snakes and milk snakes, make sure you monitor the encounter! Once they have mated, separate the pair and try again after a few days to ensure that the female will lay a good clutch of eggs. If you have docile snakes, such as corn snakes, then you can safely leave them together for a week to give them the best chance of repeated matings and fertile eggs.

Snakes, like lizards, can lay eggs or bear live young, although the former is more common. Like lizards, again, female snakes should be provided with a secure egg-laying area, such as a plastic container placed in the cage. This should have a hole cut into the lid and be large enough for the female to fit inside and lay her eggs. Again, the eggs need to be incubated, ideally in a reptile egg-incubator with the temperature set depending on the breed of snake.