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| Journal # 2 2006-2007 Breeding Year |
| In Breeding journal number two we will look at multiple het crossings as well as homozygous crossings. This Journal is being based on the breeding of Black rat snakes, scientifically known as Elaphe Obsoleta Obsoleta) . |
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| Male Leucistic |
(Possible double clutch)
| Male Rusty ( het for Leucistic and White sided) |
X
| Female Albino |
| Male Albino |
| October 15 Update: During brumation the snakes are kept around 55 degrees and the amount of light into the room is greatly reduced. Brumation is not the same as "Hibernation", which is when animals sleep through the winter months. Brumation is simply a slowing period for snakes where they do not eat and are less active due to the colder temperatures. They do still have low levels of activity and drink water. It is important to keep fresh water available to them and to check them once a week to make sure there are no signs of health problems. The snakes will remain in brumation until January 30th. |
| November 8th Update: The snakes were moved into the brumation room on November 1st as planned. All the animals are doing well and have been given fresh water on a weekly basis and checked for any signs of distress. Last week the animals were all weighed. The highest percentage of weight loss in any animal is 6%, which is in a healthy range. The snakes will remain in brumation for 3 months approximately and will then be warmed back up gradually to normal temperatures and start feeding again. |
| January 22nd Update: We decided to "wake" the snakes up a few weeks early. All appear healthy and rested. The temperature in the brumation room was turned up gradually over a 4 day period to a level of 77 degrees. Now warmed up, the snakes are alert, moving around more and drinking water. On January 21st they were moved back into the main room where they will go back to normal temperature gradients of 75-85 degrees, and start a heavy feeding schedule. All animals will be fed heavily to restore their energy. After a few weeks of eating they will start preparing to have their Post-brumation shed and then breeding pairs will start to be introduced. |
Lab Step #1- General Conditioning and Brumation
The " albino pairings" and the " Leucistic x whitesided" pairings have both copulated succesfully each time they were put together on February 22nd, 24th, and 25th. These two will continue to be put together every 3 to 4 days for opportunity to fertilize the female. |
