Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do they snore,or something?

To let you know where I am coming from, this is my first ever attempt to breed snakes.I've put my two Easterns in the "coldest" room of the house, as of last Saturday. They were fasted since 12/18, so they had two weeks to void.Their temps in the regular display had a 76-85 gradient created with overhead spot lighting rather than UTH.

When I tested the brumination room a couple of weeks back during a cold snap, temps were low to mid 60s with the heat vent shut off to that room,and I figured I could get it below 60 by opening the small window.

However,it has not been cold here for over 10 days,and the coolest the room has been was 72.I have reduced the photo period by keeping the room dark except for the small bathroom window, and, of course, there are no spots.

So, even if it does get cooler,I have no experence to figure out if the snakes are getting their metabolism properly slowed for "sleeping". And I'm concerned that they will just be slowly starving if they have not slowed down properly.Even at the current temps,they do appear rather inactive, but the female shed today, so there is obviously some activity.

Any tips would be appreciated.Thanks.

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Lloyd Heilbrunn

Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.

Try and put them somewhere where the temps. don't go above 55 degrees F. They may even attempt to hibernate if the temp. is near 70, but your best bet for a successful brumation period would be to get them colder, down in the 50s.
Michael
Michael's Place

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Michael's Place has updated better caresheets
Helmz777@aol.com
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake

Getting temps lowered is no easy task. This may seem ridiculous to some but if I were in your particular situation I would grab some of the re-freezable ice packs for coolers. I would find a way to put them underneath the cages and have a hide box directly over the cold spot. This would be a major hassle. However it just may work. In other words try to create a cold spot. It does not have to be at a constant.....temps fluxuate in most brumation situations. I am in TX and i use my garage. We have had temps in the 70s and I am not comfortable with that but snakes are actually up and about on theose watrm days here {outsude that is]. Does that mean they won't breed in spring? I seriously doubt it. In captivity the optimium range of 50-55 degrees is a common goal. However we want to trick the snakes into thinking it is that time of the year whether it is cold or not. You should also try only using a few hours of light a day, or better yet, no light at all. If you try the ice pack idea please let me know if the snakes use the "cold box". Thanks Tom Stevens

Our brumating king shed too, and I asked another breeder who said there are a few sheds every year. Activity is low, but there is some. Make sure there is water for them. I was also told that a fan works great at keeping the temp in the room down. Our king is brumating in my room, so its not too cool, but she is staying in her hide most of the time, so I think she will do just fine. Ill find out in the spring. Good luck!