Studies show however, that a few species may breed in the fall. Some egglaying species are black rat snakes, bullsnakes, kingsnakes, racers, worm snakes ringnecks and rough green snakes. The larger the female, the more eggs she can produce. Snake eggs are elongated and have a tough, leathery shell. Females select rotten Iogs or stumps, leaf litter or sawdust piles in which to deposit their eggs.
Snakes usually hatch in late summer or early fall.
Snakes which retain their young until they are completely developed are watersnakes, garter snakes, brown snakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlesnakes. This form of reproduction is slightly advanced over egglayers. The young snakes are retained and protected inside the female during their development. Each young snake is protected inside a thin, saclike membrane containing yolk for nourishment. Snakes that develop inside the female are normally born in mid to late summer.