Terry, how's that new.....

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Posted by colubridman on January 01, 2003 at 13:54:22:

In Reply to: Some brumating behavior in Chinese Beauties.... posted by Terry Cox on January 01, 2003 at 07:28:30:

:Since I like to take my Chinese snakes out of brumation around the end of March, usually, and I like the breeders to get at least three months brumation, I prefer to start cooling them in December, if I can keep them going that long. The "Northern Group" of E. taeniura all have that winter break in the wild, but in captivity can go either way, cooled or not cooled. Chinese beauties are the most northern subspecies, with stock usually coming from central to southeastern China, and I believe they are quite adept at managing the cold. Here's what's been happening in my Hibernation Room.

:My taeniura were quite active until about the 1st of December, then activity started slowing some as the ambient temp was hard to maintain in the Herp Room above about 72*F. I decided it was time to cool my remaining breeders, so I prepared the E. t. taeniura, along with my moellendorffi, and some others.

:It's been a pretty mild winter so far in Michigan. With temps mostly in the 20's night, and 30's day, it's kinda hard to keep the Hibernation Room cool enough for my likes. However, it has finally gotten down to 55*F in there. At first the taeniura looked a little confused and sat around outside their hides. But finally they settled into their hides for a cool rest. I think they need temps at least 60*F, or less, while brumating.

:Now yesterday I noticed some different behavior. Because it has warmed up to the 40's outside, and because I was in and out of the Hibernation Room quite a bit, the temps rose to about 63* in there by afternoon. Three of my four Chinese beauties came out of their hides and were soaking in their water jugs (1 gallon). I thought this was kind of curious, and it suggested to me that maybe Chinese beauties seek out water when they are coming out of brumation, or maybe they were just being opportunistic.

:I've seen the water seeking behavior before in colubrids. I think water is a big factor for snakes while brumating. Some of them may even be in contact with water throughout the cool period. Chinese beauties might actively seek water during warmups, or maybe just become active if the temps get too high.

:Anyway, the temps are back down to 55*F. overnight, and two of the beauties are still outside their hides. ASAMOF, they are coiled on top of their hide boxes instead of in them. I believe these snakes are capable of enduring much cooler temps than we give them credit for. I'll let you all know if I learn anything more about their brumation capabilties and/or affects on fertility.

:Later....TC.

:
::Just asking again.. do they even require cooling since they are already a cool climate snake? or does cooling produce higher fertility and clutches? And is there a set time of season that they are most active as far as breeding goes, or are they a year round snake? my trio are all around 6ft, the biggest maybe closer to 6 1/2, and nice and heavy bodied, so i was thinking about breeding them soon. I may acquire a pair of adult albino chinese in the near future as well. Same schedual for those guys?I've bred corns for several years, and just wanted to check if there's any differences. If not, i'll just go on and cool them like i do my corns.

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