Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a large colony of black rats....most of which are '03s.....some are starting to reach a size thats pretty healthy....but i dont think they would be large enough to breed if i brumate anytime soon......

my question is ....would it be a bad idea to wait til like february to brumate them?.....would or could that throw them off of a cycle? I figure the extra 4 or 5 months of feeding should bring them to the size that would be safe for breeding.

I am new to brummating snakes and any suggestions are welcome

keith

PS that pic is like a year old

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I'm not sure I want popular opinion on my side -- I've noticed those with the most opinions often have the fewest facts.

I gotta be honest, I'm not very conmfortable with any part of that idea. Unless you have been seriously power feeding those snakes, its not likely any are big enough to breed by most standards. Some major breeders will also maintain that actual age can be as important as physical size. While it might not be a big problem for the males, it can be for the females. Early breedings are also prone to "egg binding" (dystocia). This is problem that can be fatal.Additionally, most data that I've seen shows that early breedings don't result in many viable eggs. As my posts will indicate, I'm a pretty unconventional thinker with reptiles but this isn't a direction I would proceed. Although I am just one person, I honestly believe you should just wait until next season.

This is just my opinion.I would keep them on the same schedule at least till next year.I personally wont breed any snake under 3 years old.I normally give them 4 years to grow then breed.Ive seen weight charts for breeding and some I wont agree with at all.
Great pics of your rats.

Paul

Nice looking colony Keith. I must say I have to go along with the other posts. I'm a 3 year old age of the snake person. I wait until the third year before breeding even if a snake has put on enough size at 2. I put my snakes down Thanksgiving weekend and bring them out Superbowl weekend. Those are two events that I can recognize and everyone talks about so I know when it is time to put them down or bring them out. I have made a couple exceptions when I have had a borderline female. A late brumation may be done in order to put weight and growth on a borderline female, but I would only postpone it until Christmas. I wouldn't recommend and would advice not to go past that point. If you go past Christmas, you should wait the extra season and be safe. It's the health and welfare of the snakes you want to stay focused on. A male can breed at 18 months, but he won't be developing, carrying, and laying eggs. If you had a male that you wanted to try, I would say O.K., but not a female. Sorry, but I've seen 2 females that were bred by someone else that were big enough to breed at 2, but went eggbound and were lost. Wait until next season is my response Keith. I have a pair of these that I sure would like to breed this year, but I am going to wait one more season.

Terry Parks

I would hate to lose any of my snakes.....i am too attached....

i do have 1.1 whiteside that are adult....and of course the 1.1 rustys that will breed with no provocation whatsoever (the big male whiteside would breed my sister if she stood close enough).....there is a female i am excited about but i think you guys convinced me to wait.....George Miskimon and I have become friends and i will also consult him.....besides he has some things i would love to get my hands on (not my place to tell)

i want healthy snakes before babies.....a lot of places i have read that obsoleta is ready at 18 months.....i wanted to wait longer than this....thus the late brumation..(snakes being close to 2 by breeding time) with some extra weight and size due to the extra couple months before hibernating, i figured maybe they would have a chance....but i wont risk the lives of my snakes......

I do have a male that i have some hopes for......

keith

also time for new pics

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I'm not sure I want popular opinion on my side -- I've noticed those with the most opinions often have the fewest facts.

That's oen of the ncier Licorice Srtck I've seen. Congrats.

.

neither am i.....

and thanks

he is from Bob McIvor......George Miskimon stock.... he is awesome.....and a sweet heart

hopefully he will actually enseminate the female and she doesnt have any left over lmao

keith

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I'm not sure I want popular opinion on my side -- I've noticed those with the most opinions often have the fewest facts.

np

i used to use the calcisand.....made beautiful contrast and my snakes look great on it.....but i no longer use it....too many problems

keith
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I'm not sure I want popular opinion on my side -- I've noticed those with the most opinions often have the fewest facts.