That's when the debate comes in. A lot of the "non-coolers" will tell you that snakes (especially in the North/NorthEast) have a strong enough internal clock and don't need a cooling off period, or they'll tell you that nature will happen if it's supposed to happen without artificial cooling times, blah blah blah. At the same time, a lot of the "coolers" will tell you how desperately important it is to get your snakes in the mood and get them to slow down eating for breeding, blah blah blah. But when I personally think, when it all comes down to it, it's all about preference.

In my experience, I don't cool -- mainly because I feel my snakes can tell the bitter winter of New Jersey is rolling in. Every year, my adult snakes always stop eating and than pick back up in the spring like clockwork (except for 2, but they'll eat a hamburger if you offer it to them).

However, I also live in a early twentieth century house that isn't that fantastically insulated; its just an old, hardwood-floored, skeleton-keyed-door house. And even though my temps are still the same in all my racks, the overall room temperature of the reptile room itself effects my snakes temperatures pretty efficiently.

Now if you live in a well-insulated, modern home with central heat, etc... well now you have something to consider. And when it comes down to it, it's all about your preference. I know many breeders that don't cool and make out well, and I know many breeders that do cool and make out equally as well.

It's all about your own strategy. I know this probably wasn't helpful -- you were asking someone to tell you whats best and I gave you to road to pick from.... and I also know a lot of people will disagree, but it is true. Some breeders cool and some breeders don't, and it all comes down to their opinions and their personal strategies and preference (and sometimes, their home and location). Good luck!
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Cheers!
• Chelsea Lynn Gardiner
(and Frank M. Wood)

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