Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have finally achieved my goals of aquiring a small pituophis collection for future breeding.My collection now includes:
1.1 04 WHITESIDE BULLS, 1.1 04 Deppei Jani, and 1.1 05 Stillwater Golden Hypo bulls. I have researched thoroughly but I am still unclear on some questions.

I intend to breed all animals at 3 years of age. Can I keep snakes out of brumation with food and heat until the winter before their first breeding? Will this still achieve normal results? I am aware that many herpers keep hatchlings out of brumation their first year but i am wondering if I can safely keep my yearlings out of brumation for another year or two.

On the subject of breeding related snakes. Will signs of inbreeding or health problems show up on snakes after generations? I realize that many related snakes are bred together to preserve traits and genetics, but this really has me thinking.

I appreciate all the great information out there and look forward to your help on these issues.

Craig

Howdy, most people seem to think it is not neccesary to brumate a snake until the year you intend to breed it. It is stressful even though it is natural....so many do not. Others however feel snakes come out of brumation rejuvinated and are hardier...it's all in a personal preference for what works best for the individual. Inbreeding is something any given group of keepers could debate for an eternity. Someone once explained to me that if you breed a pair of snakes and the offspring appears to be fine, then why would you add a new blood line to that project? He went on to ask me if I had thought that the new bloodline may indeed be weaker or flawed and more harm than good can come of it. Snakes took all this time too evolve into what they are now....and many feel that they are capapble of producing many generations of perfectly healthy babies regardless of breeding related animals. However if you did produce problematic babies....then of course considering adding an unrelated animal into your projects is a good idea....but it is not often we hear of these inferior snakes in the hobby so just breed what you have and then see what you produce.....you really can't worry too much until you see your first clutch. After that it is all up to you. Tom Stevens

I appreciate your reply.
Craig

many breeders of started outcrossing the stillwaters into red bulls to strengthen the line. Though you effectively lose any locality specific claim, you should have some beautiful hypos down the road. I have 3.3 stillwaters and there is considerable variations among the 6 snakes. In my opinion they are the prettiest bull snake out there and also are mellow.

Russ

Russ (or anybody else)
Please explain what you mean by outcrossing stillwater hypos with red bulls to strengthen the line. What Possibilities of color morphs can happen.

What would crossing stillwater hypo to whiteside produce?

I would keep an eye on the stillwaters. That line in particular has been bred alot and the snakes you see for sell are often F3, F4 or greater generations. As Tom says it's nothing to panic over but it is something to keep a watchful eye on as they mature and you successfully breed them.
Good luck,
Russ