Temperate zone snakes brumate only if they have to to avoid cold conditions on the surface. They may also seek cool areas to slow down calorie burning during warm times if prey is not abundant.

If prey is available and warm temps are available, they do not brumate. So, Texas ratsnakes brumate in the wild if they need to, and they do not if they don't need to. I bet even in Texas they need to for a short time.

As for brumation and breeding, the other poster nailed it. Brumation is probably not the only cue, and it may not be necessary at all. Modern techniques employ it because it seems to stimulate breeding in captivity.

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