Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does evreryone brumate reguardless of breeding?
Temp? Length of time?

Indigo?
Y/T?
Spilotes?

Thanks in advance for your info.

CYCLED, but NOT brumated.

Some have tried and all have died.

To answer the questions, personally, I do not cycle unless I'm breeding the animals. I think most here share that opinion.

eastern and TX indigos are gradually subjected to shorter photo periods and cooler temps with night time lows gradually down to the upper 50's in Nov-Dec, but with the heat kicking the basking spots back up to the 80's for several hours daily. They NEED this and WILL bask during the cool periods.

YT's and Spilotes are cycled more like boas. With only subtle temperature drops at night. Successful breeding can be achevied by creating a rainy season while the nights are being slightly cooled.

Again...I don't worry about cycling at all if I'm not breeding the animals. And...if you put any of these animals into a full brumation, they will wake up dead.

I cool my couperi, erebennus and rubidus down, but I wouldn't consider this true brumation as the temps are dropped only slightly. Also, all have access to an area within their enclosure for which the temps will reach 80-85F for a few hours per day. This is especially important for specimens who continue feeding throughout the winter period.
As for my corais, melanurus and unicolor, I basically decrease photo period and increase humidity during the breeding season while lowering night temps slightly.
I am aware of a couple of individuals who have lost corais and melanurus attempting to brumate them.

Jeff