In Reply to: Re: glider mating--should they be controlled posted by Thomas on May 01, 1999 at 15:00:06:

like in Melbourne Austrlia today alone the temp ranges were between 45 and 66, that is in the wild and with winds blowing. If the temps are maintained at a steady temp, then their natural instinct of weather changes are confused. If a glider is raised in an atmosphere where the temps are fluctuating , but not extremely, just mildly, during the change of seasons they get climitized, much like if someone to the north moves south. Their bodies change to accomadte the change in temps. I agree that in the winters there are deaths due to the cold weather. But many times those are attributed to drafts, extremely low temps, and exposure to the outside elements. But there are many people who have, different types of heat that also finds it hard to maintain a constant tempeture. You will find, that those breeders in warmer climants year round, or those that maintain constant temps produce 2 to 3 litters a year regularly. Many of the ones that live where the change of seasons are prominant produce fewer per year. Where i live the temps can get cold, in the winter we do maintain a lower temp than in the summer. We don't do this to restrict the breeding, we do this every year. To drop the temps from 72 down to 62 isn't that big of a drop. It is still much warmer than outside. most people think the ideal temps are between 60 and 80 degrees anyway. so that is a 20 degree fluctuation. In order for the gliders to compensate for the drop in temps they actually lower their own blood pressure, eat less, sleep more, they actually lower their own metabolism. Hence why in the winter months many people notice, these changes.

Follow Ups:

• Re: 10 degrees isn't much considering Thomas 13:53:08 5/02/99 (1)
  • No Problem Bourbon 16:44:03 5/02/99 (0)