trying different length cooling periods

im new to this hobby and have not bread yet , i was just wondering if anybody has tried different lengths of the cooling period , or not using a cooling period at all, has anybody tried a shorter cooling period like maybe a week or two weeks ,and if so how does it compare to the "normal" length, on the web page i was reading they were saying that it should be about a month, also i would like to know if temps or any other factors durring incubation could effect how many males or females u might or might not get , or size or morphs that you would get in that clutch , thanks

My first season I used a cooling period. The next couple of seasons I just let the natural temp change cool the room. That was only a couple of degrees different. I haven't noticed a change in breeding activity. I know I don't worry about RI now. What keeps them healthy is what is best IMO. As far as incubation temps, some reptiles have sexes that are temp based but BP's aren't one of them.

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Originally Posted by axeman569

My first season I used a cooling period. The next couple of seasons I just let the natural temp change cool the room. That was only a couple of degrees different. I haven't noticed a change in breeding activity. I know I don't worry about RI now. What keeps them healthy is what is best IMO. As far as incubation temps, some reptiles have sexes that are temp based but BP's aren't one of them.

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thanks for the reply , so when u say the natural temp change your talking about the temps out side right? so does that mean you could only breed once per year using this way ? or is it only possible to breed once per year regardless ?

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Originally Posted by ejseoane

thanks for the reply , so when u say the natural temp change your talking about the temps out side right? so does that mean you could only breed once per year using this way ? or is it only possible to breed once per year regardless ?

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The breeding process takes roughly a full year from preparation to hatching so you end up breeding only once per year anyway. Some breeders cool, some don't but it's up to the breeder preference.

Personally I use room temps year round since I don't provided heating to any of my BPs (I live in Barbados :D). Neither do I use an incubator for hatching... the benefits of living in the tropics...

I don't bother with cooling. Just keep it all the same temp and it works fine. Some are convinced that it's mandatory. I, along with many, many others, have proven that cooling has little--if anything--to do with successful breeding.

Read until your eyes bleed. Every website and book you can find, regarding breeding processes. Then choose what you think will work best for you and tweak from there. I think the biggest mistake some newbies make is not reading/learning enough before they jump in with both feet.

Some cool, others don't. Personally, I don't. I've seen no scientific evidence that says I should.

ok , so if there is no cooling period how do u know when to put the male and female together , do u just leave them until they get down, or is there a sign telling u when they need to be put together?

I put my snakes together pretty much throughout the entire year. Just keep records on who laid when. I've gotten eggs as close together as 9 months apart from the same female. Keep an eye on the weather. I like to pair my snakes up when a storm is approaching. They seem to breed better with a drop in the barometric pressure. It makes sense since they mainly breed during the rainy season in the wild. Also, since these animals are native to the equatorial region of Africa, they don't have a natural cooling period OR a seasonal reduction in light levels so cooling them doesn't actually make any sense.

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Originally Posted by ejseoane

ok , so if there is no cooling period how do u know when to put the male and female together , do u just leave them until they get down, or is there a sign telling u when they need to be put together?

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Pair 'em whenever you like. If they're ready, they're ready. I start pairing in earnest on Thanksgiving day. Some breed immediately, and others take some time. There aren't any hard and fast timelines that 100% of animals will stick to. It's part of the frustration and beauty of breeding this species.

I have a lot more luck getting locks in the winter/spring months, but they'll breed anytime of the year without cooling them.