Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This will be my first year where I actually attempt to breed snakes. I am currently brumating subocs and pyros but I only plan to breed the subocs. I am a little concerned because all refrences that I have read say that brumation lasts thrue Feb. I live in San Antonio and it has been in the high 70's for the last week or so and no sighn of letting up. I checked the weather in West Texas and it is the same so I'm not to concerned but I also read some where that bacteria and other diseases which have lain dormant can activate in these temps, should I worry? I know there are other breeders in my area so I figure I should be fine but not sure. Also these temps will most likly continue. Should I warm them back up to normal temps instead of leaving them in the 70's for a few weeks?

Thanks!!

The key is environmental cues, not necessarily length or temps of brumation. A friend of mine once got some gay-banded kings (which are obviously sympatric w/ subocs) to breed and lay a large healthy clutch of eggs after only 10 days of brumation.

Some claim that keeping colubrids at those temps will burn unsafe calorie levels and others claim that it doesn't matter as long as they see a change.

I'm not sure which bacteria types you mean. Could you be more specific?

DR

I'm not sure exacly what Bacteria types I mean either I just read exacly what I said in my Original post on VMS Herps. They were actually talking about when they turn the heat back on and that they don't do it slowly because of that bacteria, But I figure I'll be fine. Thanks for he help.

Ill be at the show in Arlington. Cant wait to see your presentaion!!

"We believe, as do others, that maintaining snakes at those in-between temperatures can allow bacteria and other diseases which have lain dormant to activate and begin reproducing while the snake’s immune systems are too cool to do anything about it."
VMSherp "Breeding Cornsnakes"

This sounds like a bunch of bull to me. Bacteria, like your snake, have metabolisms that are primarily regulated by temperature and nutrient availability. Virus reproduction is regulated by the snake's cell metabolism. There is no additional risk to the snake by warming it slowly if the snake was healthy when it was cooled. I would also like to see some evidence that a snake’s immune system does anything but slow like the rest of its metabolism when cooled. Keep in mind that just as the snake’s metabolism is slowed, so is the bacteria's.

when working with the elusive gay bands, is there a trick to getting eggs from a female/female pairing, or male/male pairing?

or do you just have to adopt?

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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

Thats hilarious. Can't wait to see a female female pairing. Surely one of them will have a mullet!

Chris Drake

LOL That's too funny. I tell you, my typing has been getting really sloppy lately.

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"Upon Thy Belly Thou Shalt Go"