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brumation question

dw662002 Oct 18, 2010 03:04 AM

what is a "safe" weight to be at for brumation?

Replies (8)

a153fish Oct 18, 2010 09:44 AM

>>what is a "safe" weight to be at for brumation?

I don't have a scale, and different corns grow differently so there is no hard rule. I heard someone on another form say, 3 feet, 3 years, and 300 grams." I heard someone else say if the female can swallow an adult mouse then she's good. I tend to like this last one. But I judge each snake individually. I mainly look at the snake and say, "will this snake have trouble passing eggs?" I had a pair of corns that were one year old and thin as a pencil lay eggs and a few hatched! I kept them together cause I thought there's no way they would breed! I was wrong! I don't recommend doing that, lol! But it shws that there are exceptions to every rule. You might have a very large healthy snake and it becomes egg bound, that's just life! I'm sure others will chime in, right about.......NOW!
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

a153fish Oct 18, 2010 09:46 AM

How about ...........NOOOOOW!
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

KevinM Oct 18, 2010 09:56 AM

LOL!! Good one Jorge!!

Well, a snake can and does brumate at any age in the wild, from hatchlings to adults. So, assuming you are looking at a weight issue only regardless of age, sexually mature, etc., then I would say you want your snakes well fed. Not necessarily plump or overweight, but a good body weight for size/length. No thinness observed. If you have been feeding well enough to leave a lump in their bellies at least weekly, they should be fine. If they are poor feeders and on the thin side, they may not make it and burn their reserves up in brumation. They should technically burn little to no fat in brumation due to the temps. Try to keep your temps between 50-60 degrees. If you cant keep the temps constant and it warms up, try feeding them smaller than normal meals if they are active during the cooling period. I dont have any hard weights that I use, but go by visual condition regardless of the age of the animal I am going to brumate. Some folks never truly brumate their animals, just turn off the heat sources and let them get to room temps. The snakes may remain active enough to feed from time to time on smaller prey items, but are exposed to temps and light cycles that turn on their sex cells for breeding season in the spring. Some corns breed without any cooling attempts at all.

draybar Oct 18, 2010 04:09 PM

>>what is a "safe" weight to be at for brumation?

like Kevin said, they can and do brumate from hatchling to adult. Some people will even brumate non-feeders in hopes they will emerge hungry. I've heard quite a few success stories from this method.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes...No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

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draybar Oct 18, 2010 04:12 PM

Some people will even brumate non-feeders in hopes they will emerge hungry. I've heard quite a few success stories from this method.

and I've also heard of some unsuccessful attempts at this...
so I say, if they're healthy, at any age you may want to brumate, go ahead and brumate them. Just keep an eye on them for any signs of weight loss or other problems.
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes...No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

a153fish Oct 18, 2010 06:04 PM

I think maybe I read more into the question than was asked. I thought the question was about brumation for the purpose of breeding. That's what I get for rushing thru things, lol. Yeah you can brumate any snake that is healthy and has good weight.
-----
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

draybar Oct 18, 2010 06:15 PM

>>I think maybe I read more into the question than was asked. I thought the question was about brumation for the purpose of breeding. That's what I get for rushing thru things, lol. Yeah you can brumate any snake that is healthy and has good weight.
>>-----
>>King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
>> J Sierra

yeah I thought you would realize that when you went back and re-read the original post....lol
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes...No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

dw662002 Oct 19, 2010 02:25 AM

no they are all good eaters and well fed. small rat weekly. they are 350-450 each.

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