>>All sounds good to me. I don't think Yunnans should need colder temps than the 50's.
>>
>>I have not had good results with my bimacs either at cold, refrigerated brumation or subtropical cooling. I have gotten slugs from the females and that's it. Strange, because they are supposed to be easier to breed than diones according to some folks.
>>-----
>>-Toby Brock
>>Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research


Toby, as you know I've kept taeniurus, moellendorffi, bimaculata, and dione, among others. I still keep the dione and bimaculata. The moellendorffi would brumate a full four months at 50-60*F. in spite of having a range crossing into the tropics in S. China and N. Vietnam. It was the dry season and they are very responsive to increase in moisture. The taeniurus is from the same range and much, much more. They can range from tropical to temperate, but most can brumate. I think the caves may breed year 'round, but I never kept those.

These snakes are also from pretty warm regions and can do fairly well w/o too much cooling. I kind of semi-brumate some of my herps. Some of the Asians could get by this way. It is cooler and drier, but they still eat occasionally. I use humid hides and put them on UTH's after eating. I think the Chinese taeniurus will breed after a winter of some cooling and heating, maybe getting in the 60's at night, and up to low 70's daytime. The dione are the most cold tolerant and likely have to have full brumation, but might breed with partial brumation. The bimacs are considered subtropical by some and can be kept going all winter easily, but breed much better with some brumation.

Also, the dione and bimacs are fall breeders too. I often put a male and female in the same cage for the winter and they will breed repeatedly and the female will start ovulation as soon as she starts eating well again. Sometimes I put a male and several females together. I did this earlier this month with the bimacs. I put a mature male in with three females and the male bred one of the females the first night in a water jug. He has bred one other since then, and will likely breed all three females before spring. It gets down into the 50's on our back porch and in the low 60's*F. on most days. Most of the time the bimacs hide and don't bother each other. They get a little active in the heat of the day. Keeping a whole group in one cage gives me lots of time to take care of all the other cages and also economizes on space for the winter.

Toby, I don't know why you haven't had more success with your bimacs. This system has always seemed to work for me and we have mostly the same lines. I hope this year will be different for you. Let me know how the conditions in your Herp Room go. Could it be it doesn't get dry enough? Do you ever open the window at night?

Cheers....Terry
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