Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is a re-post in hopes of getting some feed back.

Light change is important for most plants to flower and animals to come into estrus (for mammals)...what do you call it for snakes, just ovulation?

I did a quick check to see the difference in light cycle between Honduras and Florida, shown below. Florida is about 2 X more drastic when it comes to light increase/decrease during the year. The point I'm making is, light is another piece of the puzzle for triggering a breeding response. Even in Honduras there are changes in daylight times over the year. Obviously, as you approach the equator, this diminishes.
Is temperature more important or just as important...I guess that remains to be seen.

The big question is what factor or factors that trigger successful Honduran breeding (or Central American Colubrids)?

I've heard an increase in feeding, cooler temps, light cycle changes are all factors...but which ones are essential and what are the ideal ranges for each?

I think most people believe you have to have a temperature range conducive for sperm production and the female must be triggered for egg ovulation.

But this is a very interesting subject in my opinion...and hopefully this brumation subject can be better defined in the future.

Any herpetologist want to chime in here...if not this sounds like a great Thesis idea.

-RG

Honduras

Jun 21, 2006 6:22 AM 7:19 PM
Total Hours = 12 h 57 mins

Dec 21, 2006 6:08 AM 5:26 PM
Total Hours = 11 h 18 mins

Difference = 1h 39 mins

Florida

Jun 21, 2006 6:30 AM 8:15 PM
Total Hours = 13 h 45 mins

Dec 22, 2006 7:04 AM 5:35 PM
Total Hours = 10 h 31 mins

Difference = 3h 14 mins

I think most people agree that light cycle variation is enough to get Hondurans (as well as many other types of snakes) to breed. The big question is how low does the temperature need to drop to insure fertility.

Tim

Third Eye

Well...Breeding Hondurans doesnt seem to be very difficult by even the novice. I have bred them with NO brumation a few times, and also with partial brumation - where the temps got so hot in Feb that the snakes cam out early! So, not sure if this subject requires a dissertation or not! All of your questions are good ones, though, and certainly having the Males get too hot directly after brumation is not a good thing. However, I am of the feeling that Hondurans in the Wild will adapt to any heat pattern that comes up down there, so we as breeders cannot mess up that badly barring severe lack of humidity or an escape from the heat.