Re: length and temperature of burmutaton

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Posted by Paul Hollander on October 26, 2000 at 16:41:44:

In Reply to: Re: length and temperature of burmutaton posted by E.T. on October 26, 2000 at 14:51:06:

: Terry,

: Where do you live? and where did you hear this about Vulpina?

Is Terry talking about eastern or western fox snakes? Is the original poster talking about eastern or western fox snakes? I could believe that six month figure for the eastern.

: I know you have much more experience than I do, but do the W. Fox need that cool of clime?

: I live in Wisconsin, and my understanding has always been that they den with similar species and once you're below the frostline here, the temps are in the area of 55-58 degrees no matter where you live.

I'm in Iowa, where the western fox snakes roam. AFAIK, the deep ground temperature here is around 50 F. But I think it takes a few feet of dirt before the temperature rises from frost line (32 F) to 50 F. So the question is, where in that range do the fox snakes hibernate?

The one time I saw hibernating fox snakes in the wild, they were at the bottom of an old well, just above the water, and surface water level is around 8 feet down. So I'd go for deep ground temperature.

: : : I had intended to burmutate my bull snakes for two months, my corn snakes for three months, and my fox snakes for four months at 52 degrees in a special refrigerator. I have been told that 52 degrees is a fair temperature for all three species, but that I can burmutate all of them for four months. Last summer my fox snakes did not breed as I had wished. Does it seem like I am using good judgment to burmutate all of my snakes for four months at 52 degrees? I enjoy reading this discussion group. Thanks to all of you.

:
: :
: : I'd only do corns for three, bulls for four at 50*F, and fox for at least four at 45-50*. Fox snakes are very hardy and hibernate about 6 months in the wild. Good luck, TC.

I've successfully brumated Iowa bulls and got breeding with brumation temperatures as low as 46 F and as high as 53 F. 60 F is too high, but I don't know how high qbove 53 F I could have gone and still been successful. I take about a month to from end of feeding to empty the gut and then get the snakes down to brumation temperature. Then three months more at brumation temperature. That works for bulls and corns. I never took a corn below 62 F, but I think they should be able to handle lower.

I've never bred either the eastern or western fox.

Paul Hollander

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Hey Paul, thanks for your help on this strand........> Terry 10/26/00 (0)

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: : Terry, : : Where do you live? and where did you hear this about Vulpina? : Is Terry talking about eastern or western fox snakes? Is the original poster talking about eastern or western fox snakes? I could believe that six month figure for the eastern. : : I know you have much more experience than I do, but do the W. Fox need that cool of clime? : : I live in Wisconsin, and my understanding has always been that they den with similar species and once you're below the frostline here, the temps are in the area of 55-58 degrees no matter where you live. : I'm in Iowa, where the western fox snakes roam. AFAIK, the deep ground temperature here is around 50 F. But I think it takes a few feet of dirt before the temperature rises from frost line (32 F) to 50 F. So the question is, where in that range do the fox snakes hibernate? : The one time I saw hibernating fox snakes in the wild, they were at the bottom of an old well, just above the water, and surface water level is around 8 feet down. So I'd go for deep ground temperature. : : : : I had intended to burmutate my bull snakes for two months, my corn snakes for three months, and my fox snakes for four months at 52 degrees in a special refrigerator. I have been told that 52 degrees is a fair temperature for all three species, but that I can burmutate all of them for four months. Last summer my fox snakes did not breed as I had wished. Does it seem like I am using good judgment to burmutate all of my snakes for four months at 52 degrees? I enjoy reading this discussion group. Thanks to all of you. : : : : : : : : I'd only do corns for three, bulls for four at 50*F, and fox for at least four at 45-50*. Fox snakes are very hardy and hibernate about 6 months in the wild. Good luck, TC. : I've successfully brumated Iowa bulls and got breeding with brumation temperatures as low as 46 F and as high as 53 F. 60 F is too high, but I don't know how high qbove 53 F I could have gone and still been successful. I take about a month to from end of feeding to empty the gut and then get the snakes down to brumation temperature. Then three months more at brumation temperature. That works for bulls and corns. I never took a corn below 62 F, but I think they should be able to handle lower. : I've never bred either the eastern or western fox. : Paul Hollander :

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