Re: Breeding Corns & Bairds rat snakes

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Posted by TDMac on October 22, 2000 at 18:34:24:

In Reply to: Breeding Corns & Bairds rat snakes posted by Lee P. Yates on October 22, 2000 at 05:01:31:

: Is it too late to begin the cycling for winter brumation now? I only got them last week and obviously they haven't been subjected to lower photoperiods or lowering temperatures.

The answer is no. It is actually the perfect time to start the brumation cycle. I don't know where you live, but I don't think it makes any difference. I live in San Angelo, Texas and here is how I brumate my animals (successfully, I might add).
I give them their final feeding on the last weekend in October. I can always remember that they get their final meal of the year on Halloween (or whenever that last Saturday falls). I leave the heat strips (at 82 degrees) on for another two weeks to allow them to evacuate their intestines. After the heat is off, I leave them out in the snake room for another two weeks at room temperature (about 75 to 78 degrees). On Thanksgiving weekend, everyone gets weighed and measured and safely tucked away in the Brumation Room (a closet located where two of the walls are outside walls. I have removed the attic insulation from over the top of the closet). There they stay until March 1st. I do make sure water is available and only check on them every two weeks to clean messes and change water. Otherwise the door stays closed and the temp stays around 53 to 70 degrees. I won't let it get colder than 50 degrees.
I also pay absolutely no attention whatsoever to photo-period. These animals are primarily nocturnal and they spend the entire winter in total darkness...with no ill effects.
I haven't had any problems whatsoever with this program. The animals I have bred have been alterna, subocs and corns. This next year I will add Desert Kings and Baird's (if I still have the Baird's).
I hope this helps.
Adios. Dean

T.D. Mac - Captive Bred Snakes

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Brumation for corns and Baird's, etc.......> Terry Cox 10/23/00 (0)

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: : Is it too late to begin the cycling for winter brumation now? I only got them last week and obviously they haven't been subjected to lower photoperiods or lowering temperatures. : : The answer is no. It is actually the perfect time to start the brumation cycle. I don't know where you live, but I don't think it makes any difference. I live in San Angelo, Texas and here is how I brumate my animals (successfully, I might add). : I give them their final feeding on the last weekend in October. I can always remember that they get their final meal of the year on Halloween (or whenever that last Saturday falls). I leave the heat strips (at 82 degrees) on for another two weeks to allow them to evacuate their intestines. After the heat is off, I leave them out in the snake room for another two weeks at room temperature (about 75 to 78 degrees). On Thanksgiving weekend, everyone gets weighed and measured and safely tucked away in the Brumation Room (a closet located where two of the walls are outside walls. I have removed the attic insulation from over the top of the closet). There they stay until March 1st. I do make sure water is available and only check on them every two weeks to clean messes and change water. Otherwise the door stays closed and the temp stays around 53 to 70 degrees. I won't let it get colder than 50 degrees. : I also pay absolutely no attention whatsoever to photo-period. These animals are primarily nocturnal and they spend the entire winter in total darkness...with no ill effects. : I haven't had any problems whatsoever with this program. The animals I have bred have been alterna, subocs and corns. This next year I will add Desert Kings and Baird's (if I still have the Baird's). : I hope this helps. : Adios. Dean

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