Jungle Carpet Brumation?

[Snakecharm]

Ok...

I've got my female, I've got my male. I want to do everything I can to get them raring to go next spring. I've read several things that say to get carpets in the mood it's advisable to brumate them over the winter.

Help? ::meep::

What temps? What level of being left alone, cycled lighting or total darkness, etc? I read one article for diamonds that advised actually cooling them in the garage in boxes over the winter, basically a near-hibernation. Is that necessary? Does it even apply to jungles? I've had my female for three years and she has always been a strong eater even in the winter months, should I continue feeding normally if she wants it? I'd also prefer to keep my male on feed as steadily as possible because I think he could use some more size and weight before attempting to breed.

I figure this is the time to start preparing and planning so my wheels aren't spinning next spring because I did something wrong. Any and all information, links, etc would be welcome. =)

Thanks!

--Jennifer

[Jeff_Favelle]

Normal temps until Nov. 1st. Then from Nov.1st to Jan. 15th, daytime highs of 85F+ and nighttime lows of 70F. On Jan. 16th, return to normal, feed the f**k out of the females and start combatting the males and introducing them to the female's cage.

Easy as mud. Probably one of the easiest pythons to breed in the world. The secret is producing "nice" specimens.

[Snakecharm]

Gotcha, sounds good. Reduced light cycle during that time as well, I'd think? Also, should food be offered at all? I'd think with the lower temps digestion might be an issue, and feeding probably also wouldn't happen in the wild at that point. But I'd rather be sure than guess.

Just want to make sure I dot all my i's and cross all my t's. ^_^


Thanks!

--Jennifer

[Jeff_Favelle]

Males don't eat, females eat just fine ALL YEAR, except when gravid. This is why you have the day-time highs of 85F+. That way they can thermoregulate and digest. And you'd be surprised at when and where they eat in the wild.

Light does nothing for me or my Carpet breeding. Some people use it, but I don't.

[lordkovacs]

you don't use light at all? obviously you have a room light though. Do you leave the room light on at all, or just the heat ? interesting...
MIKE

[Jeff_Favelle]

Oh yeah, i have lights in my cage. All I meant was, I don't manipulate its length for the purpose of breeding. Its ALWAYS on 12, off 12. Never changes. Doesn't affect breeding in the slightest.


Old, old old old pic:




http://members.shaw.ca/Uploaded_pics2/JCF4xJCM2%20003.jpg

[Zoe]

Just thought I'd chime in: my light cycles are identical to those outside (well, by a half hour or so :D). But I really don't think it makes that much of a difference.

I did pretty much exactly what Jeff told me, and it worked great. GL!

Zoe

[NewLineReptile]

Jeff.....are you not worried about your snake getting burned on that light?

[Zoe]

I think thats a 10W bulb. Good for light, hardly warm to the touch.

Zoe

[Jeff_Favelle]

Close! 25W bulb. I can grab it all day long and its not hot.

So no, to answer your question. :D

[JDouglas]

Everyone has there own way of preparing jungles to breed. Some use light cycles, some lower temps at night or 24 hrs a day, some start cooling earlier than others, Some combat males & some don't. etc etc

This is why it is nice to get advice from someone who has had good results several years in a row, and Jeff's advice sound good to me!