hibernate = "1. To pass the winter in a dormant or torpid state. 2. To be in an inactive or dormant state or period." The American Heritage College Dictionary (2000).



Whether we call it dormant, torpid, inactive, hibernation, or the newest term brumation, it's still pretty much the same thing to me. I've been calling it hibernation for 50+ yrs and so have many others. To say no snakes hibernate is going to alienate a lot of herpers if you ask me.



I've seen snakes passing the winter at temps at nearly 32*F, for months at a time w/o moving. Noone will convince me that they are active at any pursuit. Their metabolism is almost zero. They can go for five months, or more, w/o losing any weight. I also know there are snakes that can remain active all winter in some tropical and subtropical zones. That doesn't mean all snakes can.



Pyros are montane snakes. Sure we might be able to keep the babies active all winter, and might not, but once they are adults their instincts kick in and I believe most would need an inactive period. It's possible that some will find ways or reasons to stay active in otherwise cool weather, but I believe most adult pyros will need a rest period. I'd like to hear from folks who keep pyros active all year 'round and see what kind of results they get. Do pyro breeders know if they can even have active sperm w/o any cooling? I haven't bred them.



Anyway, I pretty much agree with Greg



TC

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