cycling dumerils?????

gbrys122 · 01-07-05, 10:51 AM

I have found some good info on cycling dums on this forum,but still have some questions.I've turned off the under cage heat source and cycled the lights to be on only 9 hrs a day.I'm not quite clear about feeding at this time.With no heat souce on their bellies and the temp being mid 70's during the day and mid to high 60's at night ,doesn't sound healthy to be feeding.Appreciate any and all advise!!!!

ssscales · 01-07-05, 06:34 PM

Cycling is just that, cycling. Your not cooling the snakes. I would keep your temps for about 4 weeks without feeding. Introduce the males to females and let them do their thing. Then keep nightime temps down in the low 70's, daytime temps mid 80's. My Dumerils have been at it on/off for weeks now. I seperate and feed once every 3-4 weeks a small meal.

gbrys122 · 01-07-05, 09:19 PM

My female isn't of size this year,I always thought I should cycle them their after their first year.I'm hoping for next year.My female will be 3 yrs.,right now she's about 3.5 ft. but lean.Do you normally stop feeding for a month before introducing the snakes?

Piers · 01-08-05, 03:28 PM

I find my dumerils will go off food in late Oct. I don't usually feed untill Jan. I keep the temps pretty much as you have them when cooling but I have the dth at 77-80 f.
I think its good to cycle them younger it gets them in the swing of things, Just my take on things.
Piers

gbrys122 · 01-08-05, 08:27 PM

My female seems to automatically stop eating same time each year,stressed me out when she was younge, didn't eat for 4 mos. If she beefs up with normal feeding this year I'll be introducing her to my male this time next year.Thanks for info.

ssscales · 01-09-05, 10:03 AM

I would wait till the females is 4 or 5 years of age and has good girth to her. Males are good at 3 years of age. I stop feeding a few weeks before dropping temps and introduce the male into the females cage, just my preference. They usually go at it within a few hours and will go on/off for a couple weeks. Once the males lose interest, I will seperate and feed them a small meal. I'll wait about a week for it to digest and reintroduce. Usually they will go at it again after the seperation. I leave the males in the cage till POS, if not sure leave the males in there a few weeks more, doesn't hurt.

Also some males bite the females, sometimes it is normal breeding, sometimes it's just over and the male wants away from the female! In other words, they don't want to cuddle!!

One of my females has taken, still waiting for my second female to follow.

gbrys122 · 01-09-05, 11:50 AM

I have read that it's better to wait til their 4yrs.,is it because of size difference or their bodies aren't mature sexually?At what age do males stop producing?My male is coming up on 10 yrs.I had another female for him years ago but I think she was sick when I got her cause she was nippy,unusual for dums.Life and limited space got in the way of me getting him a girl sooner.

ssscales · 01-10-05, 01:01 PM

That's a good question, I'm not really sure at what age males start to decline. I would think 10 years of age is still roughly young and he has at least another good 5 years or more ahead of him. My current breeding males are 4 and 5 years old and breeding very well.

I plan on keeping some hold backs this year that will sub my current breeding pairs in 5-6 years when they are ready.

gbrys122 · 01-14-05, 08:36 AM

I'm just gonna stick with this pair,do to limited space.My male,I was told when I bought him is a F1.Now remember he is almost 10 yrs.