kingsnake.com - reptile and amphibian classifieds, breeders, forums, photos, videos and more

return to main index

  mobile - desktop
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter follow us on YouTube link to us on LinkedIn
International Reptile Conservation Foundation  
Click here for LLL Reptile & Supply
This Space Available
3 months for $50.00
Locate a business by name: click to list your business
search the classifieds. buy an account
events by zip code list an event
Search the forums             Search in:
News & Events: Herp Photo of the Day: Bearded Dragon . . . . . . . . . .  Tinley Reflections: An open letter from Mom . . . . . . . . . .  Greater Cincinnati Herp Society Meeting - Apr 02, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Calusa Herp Society Meeting - Apr 04, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Southwestern Herp Society Meeting - Apr 06, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Hamburg Reptile Show - Apr. 13, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  St. Louis Herpetological Society - Apr 14, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  San Diego Herp Society Meeting - Apr 16, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Suncoast Herp Society Meeting - Apr 20, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - Apr 20, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - Apr 20, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - Apr 21, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . 

Why so long a brumation?


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Chuckwalla Forum ]

Posted by Marty Feldner on December 31, 2002 at 02:24:42:

In Reply to: S. varius hibernation observation............. posted by tgreb on December 30, 2002 at 10:11:00:

Are you brumating the varius that long because it's convenient or because you think it's best for the lizards? I would think actual brumation time for varius in the wild is a good month or more shorter than than your planned brumation. I find adult chucks with what looks to be fresh green staining on their mouths into late October/early November - and it stays warmer longer in the gulf. If adult chucks are eating that late in the year it wouldn't surprise me if they often had partially digested plant material in their system when heading down for a long nap. I wonder if an herbivorous lizard like a chuck is physiologically adapted to cope with some of the toxic byproducts that accompany decay? Or, maybe the answer is even simpler (if we're actually looking for an answer). Maybe under cold conditions plant matter decays slowly (the colder the temps the slower the decay) and isn't prone to rot like live, whole foods so the lizard isn't harmed by sleeping on a full stomach...or several variations or combinations of the two ideas. Maybe someone needs to study chuckwalla pooping behaviour in the wild. Some interesting stuff might "come out" in that research.

PS. I could easily envision a restless chuck emerging from its crack on a warm December day, grabbing the newspaper, and wreaking (reeking) havoc on the neighborhood.





Follow Ups:




[ Follow Ups ] [ The Chuckwalla Forum ]