Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have my brumation chamber set up and it is holding 46F...
I can certainly adjust the temp and thermostat, but I was wondering if It held this temp (46F or so) for 3 months will everything be okay come Valentine's Day....

I am actually shooting for 55F because I have had success at that temp in years past. Is 46F too cold?

And yes I still brumate snakes.....I know a lot of folks here do not brumate their common kingsnakes, but I work mainly with Mexicana and they are a montane species that have different needs than getula....IMHO.
-----
John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

I'm wanting to remember that Chris Garcia told me he brumated his at "as cold as you can", lol, which meant he got them down into the forties! BRRRRRRR! Too damn cold for this puppy! I'm gonna do the natural thang, but I'm gonna get the mexicana males colder than I did last year that's for sure.

-----
Todd Hughes

>>I'm wanting to remember that Chris Garcia told me he brumated his at "as cold as you can", lol, which meant he got them down into the forties! BRRRRRRR! Too damn cold for this puppy! I'm gonna do the natural thang, but I'm gonna get the mexicana males colder than I did last year that's for sure.

Hey Todd....my buddy Jim just answered this on the Mexicana Subforum. I think it is best to steer away from the 40s.....
55f to 60F (temps I've always had success with) seems to be just right.....I think I'll adjust the thermostat to kick on at around 59F.....I am sure it'll see some dips into the high 40s but below 44F can be lethal I now hear....
-----
John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

I think it has to do with the lower humidity with the lower temps, they would probably catch a respiratory infection with our high humidity down here, I know Walt did last year and that probably screwed him up for breeding last year. Cool and moderately humid= o.k., cold and damp= fubar.

-----
Todd Hughes

>>I think it has to do with the lower humidity with the lower temps, they would probably catch a respiratory infection with our high humidity down here, I know Walt did last year and that probably screwed him up for breeding last year. Cool and moderately humid= o.k., cold and damp= fubar.

Yep...I certainly know how humidity and cool temps can result in an RI......
I plan on stacking the males at the bottom and getting temps to hold anywhere in the 50s....I am sure there will be a few drops into the high 40s though....
-----
John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

A friend of mine has reported ICE in water bowls before. I don't think 44 is going to hurt anything, but I don't think it's necessary either.
-----
www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

A healthy snake that is set up properly to brumate can probably withstand short bouts into the 30's. Temps this cold in captivity are not at all necessary and I have never purposefully gone below the 50s.

The key is the length of time. Keeping a snake at 30 degrees for weeks is not such a good idea.

My .02 is that many people brumate for longer than they should. Especially given marginal brumation conditions. The exact temps are less important.

>>A healthy snake that is set up properly to brumate can probably withstand short bouts into the 30's. Temps this cold in captivity are not at all necessary and I have never purposefully gone below the 50s.
>>
>>The key is the length of time. Keeping a snake at 30 degrees for weeks is not such a good idea.
>>
>>My .02 is that many people brumate for longer than they should. Especially given marginal brumation conditions. The exact temps are less important.

I agree as well...I just wanted to know what the lowest temperature toleration was....
I plan on keeping mine between 50 and 55 for 3 months....And I will not purposely go below this...I just wanted to know what ill effects it could have....

I thank you all for the information too....
-----
John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...