Great hatch rate Craig...I do much the same as you except for the wine cooler thing, but I have heard of people using them....



Funny...years ago I heard Thanksgiving to Valentines and have used it for ever....It seems to be the right duration.....



The last feeding for my snake takes place around November 1.....around the 20th or so I turn off their heat.....On Thanksgiving I put them in their hibernation chamber.....



I build a hibernation chamber with its own air conditioner..I play with the temps of the A/C till it holds below 60F..It is a must down here is south Texas...



The temps seem optimal between 55 and 60...So yeah I would say 58 is sufficient...It worked for you.....LOL



I am thinking of adding a natural light cycle to mine throughout brumation this year....with the use of a sky light.....



There are stories of people not even cooling breeders but rather used a natural light cycle and had successful breedings...



I figure if I can keep temps under 60F and give them a natural light cycle it may work well......But I may just go with the dark thing again.....



I too change the water frequently...Weekly usually.....sometimes less often....



I remove them from the hibernation chamber on Valentines Day and let them get acclimated to room temps (72F or so) for two days....Then I turn on the heat strips...After the heat has been on for a day I start feeding.....Feb. 18th or so.....



I am also thinking of brumating the pairs together this year so a window of opportunity will not be missed....But I am leery of one male since he is an aggressive feeder....Maybe the cold will shut down that urge...We'll see....Maybe I don't even need to do this...I've had good luck before without doing this so why risk it, huh?



Then there's snakes like Michelle's that never see temps below 60F and still breed......LOL



BTW Tom....That is a great looking Thayeri you pictured in the thread starter.....I really like the bold black borders and it is very clean....Hardly any speckling at all.....
-----
John Lassiter



"Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part....."

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