| PURPOSE: To determine genetic outcome of offspring The Lab Sections: |
| STEP 1-THE CONDITIONING NOVEMBER 6, 2005 - This adult pair of snakes were fed heavily from months August through October. No more food was given as of November 6th and snakes are kept warm to digest all the food in their system. In 3 weeks the temperatures will be lowered for the snakes to go into brumation which is their resting period that happens in nature during the winter months. |
| Female Albino California King Het for Banana " Ginger " |
| Male Banana California King Het for Albino " Pig Pen " |
| STEP 2- BRUMATION PERIOD DECEMBER 1, 2005 - The breeder pair were put into a 5 drawer Rack system along with substrate and a bowl of water. The rack system is kept in a garage that stays between 45-55 degrees in the winter. A battery powered thermostat is placed on the wall behind the rack to make sure that temps do not drop too low and it also measures the humidity of the room. The snakes will be checked on every few days to make sure they have water, and are showing no signs of illness or distress. During this cooling time the snakes will be mildly active , but will spend most of their time sleeping. Brumation is necessary for the reproductive organs to properly prepare for conception as well as giving the snake a sense of "spring time" being followed by a "winter " period. |
| STEP 3- MATING DECEMBER 29th,2005 - After 4 weeks of brumation, the male and female were removed from the rack system and returned into the Snake housing room where temperatures are between 78 and 82 degrees. They were put in individual cages where they will warm up and start feeding within a few days. Both Snakes are healthy and lost no weight during the month of brumation. The normal brumation period for Colubrids is 3 months, but for sake of the time lines in this project the cooling period was reduced. It has been proven, that In snakes which are native to warm climates, breeding can be successfully done with less brumation time. However,one possible effect of reducing the cooling period is that the number of eggs in the clutch could be smaller . |
JANUARY 11th, 2006 - Both Snakes have been enjoying eating the last few weeks. The male has gained over 75 grams of body weight in the last two weeks and the female which is eating lighter has gained weight as well. They will continue to be fed and watched over until the y shed. When the female sheds her shed skin will be put in with the male for a day so that he can familiarize with her scent. |
As snakes grow they periodically shed. This can
happen monthly as a juvenile, depending on the
growth rate, and slows down to several times a year
for an adult such as this Adult Male Banana
California King snake.
When Snakes begin to shed , they turn dull and
opaque in color as their skin loosens on their bodies.
Their eyes also turn blue from being covered by the
old loosening skin and they lose the ability to see for
a short period of time. They spend most of that time
of "blindness" hiding and soaking in water to help
loosen the skin. These are protective instincts for
them while being in this vulnerable condition. The
shedding process generally lasts 7 to 10 days from
start to finish.
happen monthly as a juvenile, depending on the
growth rate, and slows down to several times a year
for an adult such as this Adult Male Banana
California King snake.
When Snakes begin to shed , they turn dull and
opaque in color as their skin loosens on their bodies.
Their eyes also turn blue from being covered by the
old loosening skin and they lose the ability to see for
a short period of time. They spend most of that time
of "blindness" hiding and soaking in water to help
loosen the skin. These are protective instincts for
them while being in this vulnerable condition. The
shedding process generally lasts 7 to 10 days from
start to finish.
JANUARY 16th, 2006 - The female King snake being used in this project is showing signs of a slight respiratory infection and will be medicated and under watch for the next few weeks. A variable is being added to the lab now. The female albino Nelsons Milk snake , known to the class as "Rosie" , has just completed her shed. The skin from her shed was put in with the male King snake to try and make him receptive to breeding with her. This is not a common connection and would produce a hybrid offspring. It is not certain that they will even take with one another in a positive manner. Both animals do carry the Albino Trait but it is unknown if they are the same. This could produce a wide variety of off spring. |
| The freshly Shed skin from the female Albino Nelsons place in with the male Banana California King snake. |
| Rosie, the female Albino Nelsons Milk snake |
| Hatchlings |
