Frank Retes brought up an interesting discussion regarding pyromelana. Field observations have apparently shown that adult pyros in their natural habitat are feeding like crazy this time of year. In captivity, most keepers experience a complete refusal to feed at this time. For years we thought the snakes wanted to go dormant. Frank shows that in the wild they aren't dormant yet by any means.
What about zonata? Let's talk about the San Bernardino zonata for example. In captivity, mine would always shut off in early August. But what about in the wild?
Does anyone have any experience finding zonata in the Fall in the San Bernardino/San Jacinto mtns? Anyone study zonata life cycle during the whole year? Has anyone maintained zonata that fed during Fall?
Retes suggested that the likely reason pyro shut down for keepers is because we fail to give them the choices of temperature and humidity that they are looking for at this time of year, and they react by going dormant as the light cycle changes. He suggests that perhaps their desired temps and humidity may change from Spring to Summer to Fall to Winter. In the wild, they can find the conditions they desire. But all we do as keepers is give them one cage with one very narrow temp range and whatever humidity is in the room for all seasons except maybe Winter.
I know that Dr Seward with Gila monsters says that although the average temp of Gila monsters measured in the wild is about the range of most sweaterbox systems, they don't breed readily if kept that way (meaning narrow temp range.) He has shown predictable results when the animals are offered a larger range of temps.
Anyway, all good stuff. I would love to hear any insight.
-----
Mark G
Montane snakes are the coolest...
