iHerp Answers: To Brumate or Not To Brumate Adult Corns..

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To Brumate or Not To Brumate Adult Corns..

Posted By:

RayneFyre

Just curious what people's views are on brumation for adult corns as far as breeding goes. I've heard yes, no, only females, only for first breeding cycle, and pretty much everything in between. Wanted to get some more opinions on the matter. Thanks!


Points:	100
Topics:	Cycling
Tags:	Breeding, Brumate, Brumation, Elaphe, Guttata
Species:	Other Colubrids > Other Colubrids > Elaphe guttata guttata
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

10/19/2009 1:00:29 AM

FyreFocks

Like i said, supposedly higher fertility rates and bigger clutch sizes. Thats only what ive heard tho, since i havent paired any animals that werent brumated.

Assisted Answer

10/19/2009 1:00:59 PM

Herp_junky

I have paired both ways and their is definitely a difference in clutch size. I usually have a high hatch rate out of non-brumated pairings but never 100%. It's definitely worth brumating them if your looking for high clutch numbers but if your just going to breed basically for fun then you don't really have to.

Assisted Answer

10/19/2009 3:38:27 PM

JohnJohn

I think that corn snakes are really "self regulating" when it comes to brumation. They know what to do and it doesn't have to be complicated. I have all my corns on the same side of the reptile room. I don't put any lights on them, so they have the naturally occuring change in the length of the day. I know that they recognize that because in October, they really start hiding under their substrate a lot. During a month or two in the winter, I just shut off all the under tank heat on that end of the room. The temps drop a bit, especially at night, but are mostly guided by the normal changes in temperature that are occuring. When I want them to "wake up" and beieve that it is spring (usually sometime in late January or early February) I start turning on some lights early in the morning and I return them to som good under tank heat. After about a week or so of that, I start feeding them whatever they will eat.

I think this is good for them, regardless of breeding. I say that because they seem to respond to it so readily, as if they really just Know that it is winter and time for a little nap.

Member Comment

10/20/2009 8:16:30 AM

JohnJohn

Hey, I know you're probably just planning ahead. Just wanted to remind you to be careful about attempting breeding before they are of proper breeding size (since no one else here mentioned it). From your animals page I see that you have a nice pair of 09 corns. It will be a few years before these might be breeding size, especially the female. A good rule to follow is the "rule of threes" that they should be three years old, three feet long and three hundred grams in weight. If you breed the female too early you can risk her becoming egg bound. Not being critical of you. Just throwing that out there.

Member Comment

10/20/2009 12:44:01 PM

xanaxez

I agree with JohnJohn. and the only ones i see in your animals at the moment are both 09's. way to young and small to even consider trying to breed. at there age they most likely wouldnt even show an interest in each other anyways.

Member Comment

10/20/2009 12:55:37 PM

FyreFocks

Yeah, thats already been talked about. This is a question about peoples feelings in general to the idea of brumating adults for breeding.

Author Comment

10/20/2009 5:31:01 PM

RayneFyre

Yeah I know the 3/3/3 and 2/2/2 rules (female and male). Just curious on people's opinions on brumating adult corns. Trying to get as much info and stuff as I can before Aly and Charlie are ready to breed. My biggest concern is if brumating seems to be worth it, cause I know if it's done improperly it can really damage your snakes or even kill them. I'm just a really big worry-wart.

Accepted Answer

10/23/2009 11:26:43 PM

shellboa

To me it boils down to how well you can control the brumation environment. Especially if you are worried about it. If you feel confident that what ever system you use is essentially fool proof , then go ahead and brumate. If you have any concern that you may not be able to properly control temps etc. then don't. I have done both with several species of colubrid and it does seem like you get more eggs when you brumate but that you get a higher percentage of survivors and less refusers when you don't...go figure?

Member Comment

1/17/2011 12:06:48 PM

abi21491

This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action.

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