This year I decided to change my set up a little. Instead of shutting off heat all together when I noticed the snakes slowing down in the fall I simply turned it down a tad and opened the window. This means that my racks range from about 55 to 85 degrees. I am also occasionally offering food to everyone. A few of the 18 month old females have accepted food every once in a while which I am happy to see. After this they go and bask for a day or two before returning to the cold side.



However, NONE of my adults or juvenile males have fed and they NEVER use the heated side. THEY ARE HIBERNATING AT 55 DEGREES BY CHOICE!



So I have to ask... If these snakes come from a wide range of habitats from Nor cal where some individuals must brumate for months on end and southern AZ where they can remain active and feeding year round... If they have this amazing range of behaviors than DOES BRUMATING HURT? Do snakes from cooler places reproduce less, or live shortened lifespans because of it?



Frank I have heard you say that if a female is provided the means to conserve energy that she can breed after only 5 meals!



I will not deny that brumation has its advantages for me the keeper. If it is beneficial to the snakes than I will gladly do it. If the snakes are indifferent then I will still gladly do it. So is there any reason not to brumate? especially if the snakes seem to want to do it on their own?



** I should mention that I am in Colorado where the environmental cues (shortened day length/drastic temp changes) are very strong.

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