I am not much of a field herper, but I still enjoy hearing from people who do research what snakes are doing during certain times of the year. I am wondering about a few things. Wether snakes are denning in groups or when small numbers are found here n there has it ever been noted that the snakes were hanging in sexed pairs? I am also wondering since there's been talk of if snakes feed during brumation...does anyone feel they have caused a snake in captivity to die from feeding too late in the season and cooling them with food in their bellies? Or has anyone in the field caught a snake in the act of feeding...especially on another snake during the coldest part of the year when you'd assume they were dormant? Lastly has anyones guess ever been that a gravid snake found earlier than average possibly bred during the coldest part of the year or retained sperm so late in fall that they carried developing eggs through the winter? These are difficult questions...and not many could give answers. I know a high percentage of keepers would say no....these things have not been observed and it would not be likely. I do know some breeders shrug off snakes dying over winter, as if it is just one of those things and it happens. I hope I am not asking things recently discussed as I have had little time for the net and see many posts having many many replies. I look forward to hearing what Frank and the other field herpers has to say about these things. Tom Stevens

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