Why cool? Feed and grow..I say.....

Posted by Fred Albury on December 17, 2001 at 18:26:00:

In Reply to: could go either way... posted by Dean Alessandrini on December 15, 2001 at 19:30:01:

: I personally have never cooled immature indigos, just so they would continue to eat well and grow over the winter. But it seems logical that you may want to do it. They may reach maturity a little slower, but they would probably be good breeders and, being used to the cool downs, less likely to contract respiratory infections than if suddenly exposed to cool temps as adults.
: I've had a few adults get infections when cooled for the first time.

: I've been lucky that they were easily controlled with mild antibiotics.

: I'll be interested to hear what others have to say about this...

: Dean Alessandrini

Dean, etc. al,
For what it is worth, my opinion is:
Keep yearlings and neonates up ALL winter,
feed them well, keep them warm. This is not really"Forceing" them to grow,
(In the traditional sense of "power-feeding" colubrids, which has become so popular nowadays)
but it allows them to gain more size etc dureing what would be a "dead period" for these snakes.

But then, thats just what I think.
What do YOU think?

Fred

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: : I personally have never cooled immature indigos, just so they would continue to eat well and grow over the winter. But it seems logical that you may want to do it. They may reach maturity a little slower, but they would probably be good breeders and, being used to the cool downs, less likely to contract respiratory infections than if suddenly exposed to cool temps as adults. : : I've had a few adults get infections when cooled for the first time. : : I've been lucky that they were easily controlled with mild antibiotics. : : I'll be interested to hear what others have to say about this... : : Dean Alessandrini : Dean, etc. al, : For what it is worth, my opinion is: : Keep yearlings and neonates up ALL winter, : feed them well, keep them warm. This is not really"Forceing" them to grow, : (In the traditional sense of "power-feeding" colubrids, which has become so popular nowadays) : but it allows them to gain more size etc dureing what would be a "dead period" for these snakes. : But then, thats just what I think. : What do YOU think? : Fred

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