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Can anyone give me a brief procedure for putting my hondurans in hybernation? Thanks.

tom

xtremeherps@yahoo.com

>>Can anyone give me a brief procedure for putting my hondurans in hybernation? Thanks.
>>tom
I've been told hibernation is what mammals due; when snakes reduce their activities for the winter it's called brumation.

For hondurans, wait two to three weeks after their last feeding, and then begin reducing temps (presumably from around 80 degrees) maybe 2-4 degrees per day. (At the beginning of this process I move them into smaller boxes with deeply-piled aspen bedding, a hide box, and a water bowl). Summer/breeding light periods are usually 16 hours or so; begin reducing them too. OVer a one or two week period get the temps down to low sixties is sufficient, and light periodicity to maybe an hour a day. You can even keep the lights off (or if in a room with windows, cover with a dark cloth). Some people put water in for one day a week. I keep water in the boxes always, but i check them every week in case of a spill. Remember brumation involves change in three ways: cooler temps; less light; and reduced feeding...typically no food is offered during this time. Keep them at 60 or low sixties for 2 1/2 to 3 months, then raise temps gradually over the course of a week back to normal active temps, and increase the light period. Wait 3-4 days after they're back to normal temps, give a small food item. Wait maybe 3-4 days mroe and give a slightly larger one, and then gradually get them up to normal feeding cycles. Honduran females can eat amazing amoutns out of brumation, and can add 25 to 50% body weight by the time they're ready to start breeding, a couple months after the end of brumation and usually after their 2nd shed.

Remember this is just one way to do it. There is no single "right" way to do most things with our snakes, imho. Others no doubt do it differently and are still successful. I've had good years after brumating my hondos at 55 degrees with my pyros, and after brumating them without benefit of a/c, here in florida, when temps probably averaged 65 but sometimes hit 70. So listen to everyone's recommendations, consider them, and do what makes sense to you. And if it works, it's a good plan! Lastly, don't leap to conclusions: If a breeding season fails, we're quick to blame something or other about the brumation process. That might be a good analysis, but there cna be other explanations too. So form hypotheses at any speed; reach conclusions only after much testing and deliberation.

peace
terry

n/p