Making 'Rootbeer'

[vanderkm]

Given that my choice in corns is creamsicles - I couldn't pass on the chance to create some of the normal variety (commonly called rootbeer corns). My great plains ratsnake that we couldn't decide on gender based on probing is a female based on behaviour. She fed strongly out of brumation compared with all our males and she showed no interest when given fresh sheds of female corns.

I want to keep a level of great plains ratsnake genetics in my creamsicle foundation for genetic diversity - and seeing this pair together it is apparent that no matter how closely related corns and great plains ratsnakes are - they really are quite different especially head shape and size as well as eyes.

Because the creamsicles and rootbeers are a hybrid or intergrade (depending on how you look at it), my decision on whether or not to breed was based on my criteria 'would the snakes breed without interference or manipulation?' This pair didn't hesitate.





mary v.

[marisa]

Wow that is a VERY nice creamsicle Mary!

Good luck on some eggs!

Marisa

[BoidKeeper]

I love Rootbeer!

[urd]

love that creamsicle good luck!

[MouseKilla]

I'm still having no luck getting my GPR to take to my snow corn. I'm about ready to do any sort of interfering or manipulating necessary because he just shows no interest. He'll sniff, he'll combat other males and kinda do the twitchy stuff when he crosses paths with the female but no action.

The female is definitely receptive because she's on her second mating this year and now copulating like crazy (again) with a normal male. So it must be the male GPR, doesn't look like I'll be seeing any rootbeers this year.

The only thing I can come up with is he may still be a little fat or too much bigger than her. He and the snow are both about 4 feet long but she is around 400 - 450g and he's DOWN to 900g from 1200g last fall.

It may also be that I didn't brumate him long enough... 8 weeks, how long do your GPR's go under for Mary?

[Classic]

Cool. Good luck Mary.

Brian

[Clownfishie]

Awesome looking creamsicle you've got there Mary -- very nice!!! Best of luck...


Jen

[Jeff_Favelle]

Totally awesome Mary!!! :jawdrop:

[vanderkm]

Mousekilla - sorry to hear your pair is not going to cooperate this year. He certainly sounds like a big one! I have read that the great plains rats do not always recognize corns as suitable mates but I think my corn recognizes anything that holds still long enough as a suitable mate! He is really into having visitors drop into his tank this year.

All my guys were cooled from November through March this year. They came out much later than what I have seen from most everyone else on list - I am just breeding now, so will be late with hatches, but it was a matter of convenience for me.

Thought I would post a better head shot for comparison of head type on these two.



mary v.

[MouseKilla]

Here's a couple of quick, crappy looking shots I took just for comparison. In retrospect, maybe I was nuts to think it would work in the first place... I don't know.







Now that's a fat head! lol! Guess I need to find myself a really big female corn and try again next year.

[Simon]

awesome pairings!

[TheRedDragon]

Wicked creamsicle! Those two are going to make some stunning babies!

[vanderkm]

Mousekilla - nice comparison shot of the two - the head difference is really pronounced. I have never seen as wide or thick a head on even our oldest male corn as on the GPR. Too bad it didn't work out, would have been interesting to see the results a couple generations down - I don't know that many people are doing the direct crosses any more - my impression is that most creamsicles are from creamsicle to creamsicle breedings. Good luck next year.

Thanks to all for kind comments on this pair - I really like this male - he is oranger than his brother and quite a big guy for his age,

mary v.