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RE: what happens during winter?

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Posted by: FR at Wed Jan 21 19:32:00 2015  [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by FR ]  
   

Hi again, there are all manner of ways to approach this. Lets divide hibernation from non hibernation.
Simply put, hibernation is keeping snakes at temps below what allows feeding and digestion. Non hibernating therefore are temps that allow feeding and digestion.
Hmmmmmmmmmm in most cases, with these type colubrids, winter is a time of conserving energy gained in mid to late summer. That energy is utilized for reproduction in the spring, without the need to feed. These type species require temps that allow conservation of energy. Mid summer temps are normally so high that conserving energy is difficult. Late summer/fall temps allow for feeding and conserving energy.

So what we do in captivity is not based on a normal natural cycle for snakes in nature, we can do what we want. What the snakes need is simply the ability to feed then conserve that energy for reproduction.
The temps you mentioned are really nothing to do with hibernation in nature. Its common to see snakes out and moving from the high forties on. heck, I have found a number of boa and python species crossing the road in the mid fifties F.
I would think the low temps are fine as long as the hot temps are not to hot. I would not use 90F. Low eighties would be fine, then low temps from 55F to 65F for low temps would be good. Above 65F then lower the hot temps, see what I mean?
My kings here, feed and digest food just fine in the spring with the high temps only being 65f or so.
About hibernating. It does tell the snakes when to reproduce. Sometimes we hibernate them just to set their clock. After that we stop hibernating them and they reproduce at the same time as when they were hibernated. hope this makes sense.


   

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