fertile slugs

[hotrod5603]

I'm baffled, we had almost no winter and 2 slugs out of 8 clutches so far, if the no winter thing was a factor don't you think it would be a factor for everyone?

As far as I know slugs are caused by females not eating enough to produce healthy eggs

slugs can be caused by many things... My snakes this year were kept in a garage. the avg temp in the garage never dropped below 85 degrees for more than a day or 2. without the access to cooler temps, it's harder for them to develop eggs properly and the males sperm is often killed by hotter temps. that's why the mild winter affected me so much. now that a room mate moved out, they have been relocated into the house where i can control their temps better.

[FireStorm]

I'm not entirely sure that tbe weather is to blame...I am in FL as well and we heat our room into the mid 80s year round. We are close to 30 clutches, no slugs here. How hot did the room get?

[joebad976]

I'm not entirely sure that the weather is to blame...I am in FL as well and we heat our room into the mid 80s year round. We are close to 30 clutches, no slugs here. How hot did the room get?

I would have to agree with Firestorm And SnakesRKewl. I am in FL too and I am up to 10 clutches without any slugs and waiting on one more to drop any day now.

[SlitherinSisters]

It's a neat baby for sure. That sucks about all the slugs. What where your hot side temps?

[hotrod5603]

Florida is a big state, and there is a big climate difference from north and central florida to south miami. Last year I had 10 clutches, one first time breeder slugged out and out of the other 9 clutches, I only had 1 slug. The only thing that changed this season was the temps. same snakes, same racks, same feeding, same methods. there is a reason for cooling snakes for breeding and this year, I had no cooling at all. they stayed at summer temps all year.

[FireStorm]

I don't beleive that BPs need a seasonal temp drop to breed. I don't cool mine (I heat the room) and I had no problems. I know there is a difference in temps between where I am in FL and where you are, but my snakes are in a climate controlled room, so the cooler temps outside have nothing to do with it. I also know other breeders who do not drop temps for breeding. It seems more likely that the high side temps on top of being in the warmer garage were too much. My room is heated to 84-85F year round, BUT there is no direct heat in my racks so my snakes really never get over that 85 degree temp. I've had great results this way, over a period of about 4 years, so I personally think maybe BPs don't really need high temps in the 90F range. I agree with you that something caused your slug problem, I just doubt it was the lack of a seasonal drop.

Disclaimer: I realize that ambient heat/no direct heat is not an option for everyone, and I don't advocate that everyone take the heat out of their racks. I am happy to discuss my setup in more detail, just not trying to hijack this thread.

[hotrod5603]

I don't beleive that BPs need a seasonal temp drop to breed. I don't cool mine (I heat the room) and I had no problems. I know there is a difference in temps between where I am in FL and where you are, but my snakes are in a climate controlled room, so the cooler temps outside have nothing to do with it. I also know other breeders who do not drop temps for breeding. It seems more likely that the high side temps on top of being in the warmer garage were too much. My room is heated to 84-85F year round, BUT there is no direct heat in my racks so my snakes really never get over that 85 degree temp. I've had great results this way, over a period of about 4 years, so I personally think maybe BPs don't really need high temps in the 90F range. I agree with you that something caused your slug problem, I just doubt it was the lack of a seasonal drop.

Disclaimer: I realize that ambient heat/no direct heat is not an option for everyone, and I don't advocate that everyone take the heat out of their racks. I am happy to discuss my setup in more detail, just not trying to hijack this thread.

don't you love how you have to be so politically correct so nobody gets their panties in a bunch over something so simple... lol

[Robyn@SYR]

Best of luck with those.