Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an adult pair of Western Coachwhips Mesticophis flagellum testaceus. I would like to try band breed these, I will be brumating them in about three weeks time at 55-60F till March is the length and temps okay.
Can I get away with only Brumating the male.

Regards John (UK)
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1:2.. Pituophis catenifer (melanoleucus) sayi (Bull Snake)
1:1.. Pituophis deppi jani Mexican Bullsnake
0:1.. Boiga Cyanea
1:1.. Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Silver Phase)
0:1.. Eryx miliaris nogaiorum
1:1:1. Elaphe o. obsoleta (liquorice stick or white sided rat snakes)
0:1.. Eryx jaculus
1:1.. Lampropeltis pyromelana woodini (Huachuca Mountain Kingsnake)
1:2.. Elaphe bimaculata (Twin-spotted Rat Snake)
0:1.. Elaphe sauromates
2:2.. Candoia carinata paulsoni (Soloman Island ground Boas)
2:1.. Calabaria reinhardtii
1:1..Acantophis dumerili
1:1..Lampropeltis py. woodini (Huachuca Mt. Kingsnake)
1:1..Masticophis flagellum testaceus (Western coachwhip)
1:0..Vietnam blue beauty
0:0:2..Pantherophis obsoletus quadrivittatus (Yellow ratsnake)
Lizards
1:0..Tupinambis teguixin ssp. (Golden Tegu)
0:1..Uromastyx acanthinurus
1:1..Pogona henrylawsonii [brevis] (Rankins Dragons)
Arachnid’s
Pterinochilus murinus
Kilimanjaro Sootyback
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I have never bred Masticophis. But since nobody has posted, here is my take.

Three months should be fine.

Oklahoma is within the western coachwhip's range. Hibernacula in Oklahoma can get down below 10 C (50 F). I'd suggest shooting for the 50-55 F range, if possible. If not possible, then as close to 55 F as possible. Then you can tell us whether that temperature works.

I don't know whether you can only get away with brumating the male. Without information, I would brumate both.

When I bred bullsnakes, the males had to go through two winter brumation seasons before they were fertile. It turned out that many snakes do not produce sperm all year round. Many temperate zone male snakes produce sperm in the late summer and hold it until the spring breeding season. After the first brumation, they were still sterile during spring breeding season, but they produced sperm the following summer and were fertile the second spring. I do not know whether whipsnakes have the same pattern. I am simply suggesting that they may. If your snakes breed next year, be happy. And if they do not produce next spring, do not dispair. Keep working on them for at least another year.

Good luck.

Paul Hollander

Hello,

I have yet to breed coachwhips, but one day I will! However, I have kept them for years and have brumated them etc. I usually put mine into brumation in January to late March. I give them a week or so to gradually warm up, then return them to their cages with full heat. And offer them food which they should accept! What color are yours? My favorite phase is the RED!!! Best Regards, William C. Huntsman