Breeding without Brumation?

[nitrogen15]

Has anyone here had success breeding a plains without brumation? My big female has bred successfully once before with her prior owner. But I was told she hasn't brumated in several years, and I don't have the right setup for brumation yet. I've got an empty tank that could suit a single male, so a boy radix could be a nice acquisition even if they can't breed.

[guidofatherof5]

Lots. Many. All the time.;)

[ConcinusMan]

I think the main key here is to feed the female all she can eat of a varied diet including fat-rich food such as silversides or other safe fish, and get her into excellent condition. If you do that, she can use the excess nutrition to produce eggs any time of year. If she does that then the only thing left is to introduce a fertile male at the right time (when her eggs are ready to be fertilized).

First confirmed gravid female I got this year was a T.s. concinnus and I didn't brumate her at all. She's big (about max for her kind at 3.7 feet) and kinda old so I hadn't planned on breeding her. I kept her warm and well fed all winter. A month ago I introduced a male that brumated for only about 2 months. As soon as she shed, that male locked up with her.

I honestly don't think she would have been receptive or ready this early in the year if I had brumated her. She put all that extra energy she got all winter into getting eggs ready. If you feed her well and get her into top condition, she could be receptive at any time.

Full-out brumation is often not really necessary. A female in top condition will put extra energy she gets, into producing eggs. A simulated mild winter or brumation is only done to encourage breeding activity but it's obviously not absolutely necessary. With or without brumation your chances of succesful breeding really depend on the female's receptiveness. She's going to be receptive if she's in good shape and has eggs ready to be fertilized.