Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently read (Reptiles Annual '08) that target temps for cooling Cali's is 55-60. Well I have one room (both in our basement) that is 56 and another that is 60. Going by those guidelines I don't have much "oh FUDGE" room before I get out of those guidelines. "When in doubt" is it better to go one way or the other. They have been down since the end of Dec.

Thanks
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1.1 Albino Cal Kings-brumating
0.2 Pueblan Milks

"Conservation Through Captive Propagation"-Robert Applegate

It doesn't take much with Cal kings. I've had them in the 62-68 deg range and they produced just fine. I've had the females barely cooled at all and they did fine.

In fact, I believe a photoperiod change and access to a cool area in a cage (even if the cage is heated on one side) is all they may need. And food. Lots of food in the previous summer and the following Spring. Photoperiod is really key. The magic number of 55 deg on caresheets is not so key. May work, but is not the only temperature that works. Well fed snakes breed when given a photoperiod and not kept at temps that kill sperm.

There is evidence that sperm production in males may even take place the previous season, which means that the Winter isn't for production of sperm in every case. I need FR to correct me here if I am way off. I read it somewhere - it was an old study, and that was a theory that had some support, I can't quite remember now. The male just has to keep the sperm already there from getting too hot or too cold. Sperm will die if kept too warm or too cold. That safe range is where you want to be. I don't know what it is, but is acheivable above 55 deg.

You can breed Cal kings with no major Winter cooling. If they have enough food and the sperm do not die (in the safe zone) they will breed. There is some trigger for breeding. Again, my guess is photoperiod more than 55 deg temps.

I know of a breeder who got good results with montane kings by not going colder, but by cooling them longer (and photoperiod of course). He did 65 deg for 4 1/2 months and got great fecundity. See, the 55 deg number is not necessarily the magic number, even for a montane snake. It is the most accepted magic number by hobbiests because we all read the same books and view the same websites with the same caresheet info and we all get results using 55 deg.

Anyway, I say go 60 deg. I think it is safer. More room for error in case it gets colder one day. They will do fine if they have enough food the season before and the Spring after. Good luck.
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Mark