Cage requirements and hibernation?.......

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Rat Snake Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Terry on April 26, 2000 at 19:23:58:

In Reply to: Re: Gleetings, "leedhopper"!..... posted by Weed Hopper on April 26, 2000 at 17:20:50:

Man, how did you get the name "Weed Hopper"? That is so cool.

I think your cage will be big enough. I never had an eight foot snake, so I don't know what that would require. Your cage is twice the size of the one I use for my male Russian rat, which is about 4.5 feet in length.

I was thinking about the climbing too. The Taiwans are also called, "The climbing ratsnake". Schulz said they were very adept at this behavior and could be found in trees and on top of houses. But on the other hand, I think you could keep them in the cage you have. I kept mine (2) for a year in a cage like that. It didn't do them any harm. They seemed to like it.

I have Chinese stripe-tails, as stated before. These snakes don't have to climb, and I don't think they want to even. They seem pretty content hiding in a box or under the bedding. I believe you could probably have it either way. If you wanted to see them climb, they probably would. If it doesn't matter to you, they'll probably do fine the other way.

Hibernation, or brumation, is a little tricky to answer, since different folks feel different ways. Let me say this as I have before. All the E. taeniura (ssp.) that do not occur in the tropics, hibernate in the wild. They come from areas that have a cool and/or dry season, which may be mild, but still offers the opportunity to hibernate for three months or more. I hibernate my E. t. taeniura for three to four months at 50 to 60*F. They seem to handle this very well, and are very healthy. I believe in hibernation for the health of the snake, for longevity, and to insure fertility. Some folks have had success w/o hibernation or brumation. Take your pick.

Later. TC.

Follow Ups:

Re: Cage requirements and hibernation?....... Weed Hopper 04/27/00 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Man, how did you get the name "Weed Hopper"? That is so cool. : I think your cage will be big enough. I never had an eight foot snake, so I don't know what that would require. Your cage is twice the size of the one I use for my male Russian rat, which is about 4.5 feet in length. : I was thinking about the climbing too. The Taiwans are also called, "The climbing ratsnake". Schulz said they were very adept at this behavior and could be found in trees and on top of houses. But on the other hand, I think you could keep them in the cage you have. I kept mine (2) for a year in a cage like that. It didn't do them any harm. They seemed to like it. : I have Chinese stripe-tails, as stated before. These snakes don't have to climb, and I don't think they want to even. They seem pretty content hiding in a box or under the bedding. I believe you could probably have it either way. If you wanted to see them climb, they probably would. If it doesn't matter to you, they'll probably do fine the other way. : Hibernation, or brumation, is a little tricky to answer, since different folks feel different ways. Let me say this as I have before. All the E. taeniura (ssp.) that do not occur in the tropics, hibernate in the wild. They come from areas that have a cool and/or dry season, which may be mild, but still offers the opportunity to hibernate for three months or more. I hibernate my E. t. taeniura for three to four months at 50 to 60*F. They seem to handle this very well, and are very healthy. I believe in hibernation for the health of the snake, for longevity, and to insure fertility. Some folks have had success w/o hibernation or brumation. Take your pick. : Later. TC.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Rat Snake Forum ] [ FAQ ]