brumation question

[OBSKURITYKID]

So I am interested in breeding a few milksnakes and kingsnakes. I currently breed leopard geckos, which you don't really need to brumate for them to breed. I live in AZ and it gets pretty hot here and not that cold in the winter. I was wondering what methods any of you used for brumation? Any help would be great. Thanks in advance!!

 

[M.Rogers]

I actually just cool mine down to the 60's at the lowest and keep them dark. Just check their water weekly. I have never really got my kings are milks to cold.

 

[OBSKURITYKID]

Right, I understand how much they need to be cooled down. My question was HOW do you cool them down?? Just keep the heat off?? Put them in the garage, haha?? Thanks for the reply. = )

 

[reptile_jones]

I have heard of people in the warmer states use a refrigerator. I put my in my basement were the temps stays at 60 in the winter time.

 

[OBSKURITYKID]

Hahaha, thanks anyways for the reply. I might have heard that somewhere as well.

 

[M.Rogers]

Right, I understand how much they need to be cooled down. My question was HOW do you cool them down?? Just keep the heat off?? Put them in the garage, haha?? Thanks for the reply. = )

I quit feeding mine and start reducing the amount of daylight and after about 2-3 weeks I move them to a closet so they stay dark until around Feb then I bring them out and start feeding the females about every 3 to 4 days and the males every 5. After the first shed I start introducing them until I see interest and usually the males go off food. I have used a spare room or closet to keep the light down to a minimum. Mine never reach really cold temps though.

 

[OBSKURITYKID]

Cool. So pretty much just turning the heat off and keeping them in a dark place is enough to get them to start breeding??

 

[M.Rogers]

Cool. So pretty much just turning the heat off and keeping them in a dark place is enough to get them to start breeding??

Its worked for me for a number of years now.

 

[OBSKURITYKID]

Awesome. Thank you very much for the info!! = )

 

[M.Rogers]

Awesome. Thank you very much for the info!! = )

You are very welcome and if you have any more questions shoot me a email and I will try to help you.

 

[OBSKURITYKID]

Will do!! = )

 

[WJS Herps]

Hi Josh -

I'm in Central FL. We have a Florida room that is neither heated or cooled. I usually move my animals to brumate out there in mid-late November unless it is still really warm. I bring them in around Valentine's day. I did have to use a small space heater for a couple of weeks this past winter as we had a cooler than usual winter. I didn't let the temp drop past about 46-48 degrees. I had all the snakes in sterilite containers, with vent holes, stacked and covered with sheets. Checked water and everyone came out of brumation healthy and ready to breed.

If you're going to brumate, make sure you cool sufficiently and get the metabolism down so you're not starving them. Best of luck in your breeding endeavors!

 

[OBSKURITYKID]

When you say, "florida room," what exactley are you reffering too??

 

[WJS Herps]

Basically, a front room of the house that has a bunch of roll out windows. It's insulated and everything, just no heating or cooling unless I roll a space heater or fan in.

 

[OBSKURITYKID]

Oh, ok!!