Hey everyone!
Super happy to be breaking into the ever-cool snake ownership crowd. I love cornsnakes and have been doing tons of research for about four months now on them. I finally feel ready to take on the task of getting one and will be getting my first corn this coming week at an expo.
As I’m sure most of you have felt, I want to eventually try my hand at husbandry and breeding. Mainly, because I want to acquire or create a motley sunglow. I love the look of them but I hear they are quiet uncommon. Question is what are the best snakes to pair in order to get this mix. I plan on buying a female first and then a male next year.
Thanks, everyone!!
Sunglow is a line bred amel with very little or no white and ideally very bright colors. Line-breeding probably isn’t the best project to start off with for a new corn keeper simply because it takes many generations and it also requires a good eye for picking which babies to hold back, and not to mention being mindful of outcrossing. Amel and motley are both simple recessive, so the parents would at least need to both be het for those genes in order to have the chance of getting visual amel motley babies from them. Both amel and motley are quite common, so finding that combo is fairly likely.
If I were you, I would go to the expo with an open mind and see what catches your eye. I’ve been to quite a few expos and have literally never been able to find a specific morph when I’m looking for something exact. But when I’ve gone in with a list of genes that I’d like to add to my collection, then I’m often able to find something I love. But if you’re really set on that morph specifically, then don’t settle. You may just need to wait until one pops up online. Babies will be hatching usually in the summer, so there should be some more selection soon.
Thank you so much for the advice. If I could press you a little, what would you suggest to be a good breeding project for newcomers? I will of course go to the expo with an open mind I have a whole list of morphs I like I was just trying to narrow it down .
What other morphs do you like? Iansvivarium.com has a pretty thorough list with photos of morph combos. I would look through there and find a few morphs that you love. Since most corn genes are recessive, they’re fairly simple to calculate. Most beginners start off with common morphs like amel, anery, and snow, but there’s no reason that you would need to choose those genes.
Welcome to the wonderful world of corn snakes! You’ve gotten great tips from Olivia, @solarserpents . I definitely concur with what she’s saying. Line breeding is a particular sort of challenge and not the easiest thing to take on. Part of the challenge with line breeding is that hatchlings can look quite different from adults, and it can a real challenge to determine which animals are going to grow into the look you are working toward. This is true for experienced breeders, too, btw, but it is much harder early in your own husbandry/breeding experience.
You might want to make a mental (or written) list on characteristics you absolutely want your future animals to have. Equally important, if there are any traits you specifically don’t want in your collection, make a note of those. I grew up hearing a saying in the equine world that applies equally to corn snakes or dogs or whatever. “Breed the best to the best, then hope for the best.” It’s always good advice and is also a reminder that hope and faith come into the equation.
Keep that open mind when you go to the expo. Talk to breeders about the parents of any snakes which interest you. Have fun. And let us know how it goes!
Thank you so much. That makes a lot of sense and I have narrowed it do to some features/ colors I really want in my collection. I will ask as many questions as I can when I go to the expo next week. Thank you again
.