Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, I've got 2.1 '01 hogs and was hoping to hibernate them so that they can breed this upcoming spring. My questions are what is the minimum size( weight and length) for breeding these guys? Also how do I go about putting them under for the winter and bringing them back out in the spring and any special tips that you know of that gives you folks success?
Thanks alot
Balaschi

I'm interested in these questions too.

By the way shouldn't you have a set 1.2?
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0.1 Rubber Boa
1.1 Eastern Hognose Snakes
1.4 Western Hognose Snakes
1.0 Durango Mountain Kingsnake
1.1 Woma's (new!)
Spadefoot
Black Knobbed Sawback
Northern Diamondback
Florida Redbellied Slider
Western Painted
Southern Painted
1.0 African Hedgehog
1.0 Sulcata
2.1 Leopard (Babcocki) 1.0 borrowed (thanks Bobby)
2 Plecos
2 Silver Dollars
3 Bosemian Rainbows
1 African Dwarf Frog
1 Khuli Loach
1 Cory Cat
1 Upside Down Catfish
2.0 Fire Guramis

uhh... I think that is it.

I would say that if your females are at least 18 inches before brumation they should produce eggs in the spring. What you want to do is cool them about 10-14 days after their last feeding. keep them at about 50-60 deg and make sure they have water. I cool mine for 3 months some people go longer some don't cool at all. When spring comes and they are ready to be warmed up I just bring them into a room that is warmer for a few days and then turn the heat on. After that some will eat and some wont. Put the male in with the female and don't get too stressed out that most have not fed yet they will. Leave the male in for 3-7 days and then put him in with your other female and repeat. If you only have one female just leave him in all the time. After they breed or give up they will start to eat. Feed the female as much as you can or feel comfortable with. The female will slow down or stop feeding before she lays. The females will have a pre egg laying shed 3-10 days before laying. I put in a nest box with vermiculite or I use sand (both work well but I like having a nest box). After she lays, feed her a lot and often, put the male back in and do it all over. Once you get eggs incubate them at 80-84f on almost dry perlite for 45-65 days. Once the eggs hatch out they will shed within a day or two. The day after they shed (about two days old) offer them a f/t pink. Offer them a pink every other day till they eat and then feed as you like.

Colby, thanks for helping out us newbies.
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James