Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm new to breeding Texas Rats and I'm curious about brumation. I've done my homework, I understand why, and how, but I'm curious about the random post all over the Internet I have seen about non-brumation breeding with various colubrids that most people brumate.

It seems every discussion on it someone is basically saying they just throw them together and bam, breeding occurs. But I can't find anyine discussing the brumation of Texas Rats specifically.

The reason I am curious is because I'm wondering how much they brumate in the wild.

I live in North Texas and have found rat snakes lurking in December, specifically at Waterloo lake. Some days its 30 degrees and the next day its 76 degrees.

So what is the deal with non-brumation breeding?

The truth is that "brumation is only one of many cues that wild snakes use. Light cycle, temps, precipitation, and prey abundance all probably play a roll in nature. While not necessarily a requirement for "southern" snakes, what it provides is a timeline that has proven predictable and repeatable. It is the one cue that fits neatly into our box. If you housed them year round breeding may occur w/o any cycling. But when to put them together? When to add the nest box? I suppose you could buy an ultrasound machine and look for follicular development. Or simply follow the formula that works.

I appreciate the input but as I said I've done my homework, I understand WHY people brumate. I'm asking about the animals brumation habits in the wild, and asking for more information on non-brumation breeding.

I'm willing to brumate and already making plans to, I just want to know more about the other side of the story.

Temperate zone snakes brumate only if they have to to avoid cold conditions on the surface. They may also seek cool areas to slow down calorie burning during warm times if prey is not abundant.

If prey is available and warm temps are available, they do not brumate. So, Texas ratsnakes brumate in the wild if they need to, and they do not if they don't need to. I bet even in Texas they need to for a short time.

As for brumation and breeding, the other poster nailed it. Brumation is probably not the only cue, and it may not be necessary at all. Modern techniques employ it because it seems to stimulate breeding in captivity.