Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello Everyone, I'm new to this forum and breeding Pits.

I have a very nice unrelated adult pair of Black Pines that are ready to breed soon. The problem for me living in Florida is providing an adequate brumation period. I've managed to keep them cool for 1.5 months and I think/hope this will do the trick.
It's warm in the days here already so, I removed them from brumation and began normal temps and feeding about 2 weeks ago. They retained body weight and look perfect. I'm providing moderate meals once a week and am starting to wonder when they're going to go into a shed. My question is:

Should I wait for their first shed to put the two together? I have a feeling that they're ready to go (roaming the cage and irritable), but everything else tells me I should wait.

Let me know what you think and what other things I should be doing.

Thanks for Your Help - Mike

With that short of a brumation period they may or may not go thru a shed quickly. Sometimes you can get away with not going for the full three months, but then again do not be surprised if they breed and the eggs are infertile. It seems the shorter the brumation period the more likely they will go thru all the stages, but the male will produce reduced or less than prime viable sperm. With that said though I agree that if you were not capable of keeping the temps reduced it is best to go ahead and bring them up, I would go ahead and put them together and see what happens.

John Cherry
Cherryville Farms

John,
Those are beauties!

You expecting more of those this season?

Thanks,
//Todd

I'm also in Florida and trying to breed them for the first time. I currently have 1.2 lodingi in a wine cooler,I'll let you know if it works...
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Lloyd Heilbrunn

Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.

I know of two other folks that use them and they swear by them. Good Luck with it.

John Cherry
Cherryville Farms

Cherryville Farms

I would introduce the snakes periodically whether they shed or not. Simply put them togather every two weeks or so for 2 or 3 days, until you see breeding activity.

I'm located in Cleveland, my black pines come out of brumation in mid-February and start breeding in May - I don't know what the experiences of others are, but these snakes start breeding later than you might think.

Tim

Third Eye

Appreciate the help everyone...let ya know how it goes.