Winter Fast?

[BPGator]

I have two juvenile garter snakes that I've had for a few months. They share an enclosure. I have a regulated heat pad on one side and I use heat lamps to bump up the air temperature. Substrate is aspen. They both have eaten well except lately, one of them is always hidden and does not come out when food is offered (previously, they would both show interest and poke their heads out when it was feeding time). Last week, I dug around and found him; when I showed him the worms, he ate.

I'm looking for advice on how to proceed. Is this normal behavior for this time of year? Should I dig around every time so he eats, or just let him be and when he's hungry he'll come out?

[guidofatherof5]

Doesn't sound like anything to be alarmed about at this time. With Winter here some garters choose to go off food for awhile. As long as they are not losing a lot of weight or other physical changes are seen I'd continue to monitor the situation. Have you tried giving some different foods? Kind of change things up.

[BPGator]

Doesn't sound like anything to be alarmed about at this time. With Winter here some garters choose to go off food for awhile. As long as they are not losing a lot of weight or other physical changes are seen I'd continue to monitor the situation. Have you tried giving some different foods? Kind of change things up.

I typically feed nightcrawlers. In the past, they've both eaten fish. I've tried mouse pinkies, but the one that is not eating has never been interested in the pinkies. But as it stands, he's hiding under the substrate somewhere and doesn't want to come out. I hate to force him - they're both still skittish.

I read in another post about turning temps down during this time of year. The heat lamp brings the ambient to about 80F, but my heat pad is set to 90F. Humidity has also dropped due to the winter weather. Currently around 40%.

[guidofatherof5]

I think upping the humidity with a bigger water dish might be good. I know it varies between snakes and keepers but I've never had a snake stay off food for more than a month during the Winter. Are these wild caught or captive bred?

[BPGator]

I think upping the humidity with a bigger water dish might be good. I know it varies between snakes and keepers but I've never had a snake stay off food for more than a month during the Winter. Are these wild caught or captive bred?

They are both wild caught.

[guidofatherof5]

They are both wild caught.

That adds evidence to the thought they are responding to the seasonal change. If you keep the heat up and enclosure normal things should return to normal soon. Keep in mind that wild caught snakes might be carrying a parasite load. Once this issue is taken care of it might be best to get a fecal float done to rule out parasites.

[Tommytradix]

Try cutting up a worm into small pieces with scissors and roll the pinks around in it then remove the worm pieces and they should eat it. I used to leave the worms on the dish but some will eat around the pinks lol