Vulnerable babies.

[infernalis]

I also wonder about other losses.

Last winter was harsh and long, resulting in many late wild litters.

It got cold out quick this year, Many of the babies from this years litters are still very small.

How well do the babies handle brumation?

[reptile3]

Aww James, you have a kind heart for animals. Great to see that in MEN!
Nice safe on the baby!!

[Stefan-A]

How well do the babies handle brumation?

There are some form of statistics in the Rossman et al book, can't remember. Naturally, there are some differences between different dens, some are better than others.

[gregmonsta]

Lol silly little bugger!!

[infernalis]

There are some form of statistics in the Rossman et al book, can't remember. Naturally, there are some differences between different dens, some are better than others.

Seems as if there should be some losses, Babies don't have as much "fuel" to make a long winter?

Would make a compelling argument next time some PETA type claims we are cruel for having pet garter snakes.

[Lori P]

No, because they are against any animal in captivity, period. Death is better than life in a cage. (Which, you know, has some merit considering the horrible cages many animals are kept in.) But Peta is incapable of recognizing the good animal caretakers.

[Stefan-A]

No, because they are against any animal in captivity, period. Death is better than life in a cage. (Which, you know, has some merit considering the horrible cages many animals are kept in.) But Peta is incapable of recognizing the good animal caretakers.

As I see it, their assertion that death is better than life in a cage has no merit at all, becauseit's not based on the assumption that horrible conditions are bad for the animals. In other words, it's not really based on anything real at all.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Did they survive, Shannon?

yes, only because I realized what was going on and put them into containers of water over night!

[adamanteus]

Well, I fed all the new radix babies this afternoon. I couldn't tell which one it was that was dehydrated the other day!
I guess it shows that they can lose water at an alarming rate, when they're so small, but they can rehydrate equally as quickly.
I check on them twice a day anyway, but from now on I'll be paying much closer attention for early signs of dehydration.
Anyway, no harm done this time.

[Stefan-A]

Good news so far.