to feed or not to feed that is the question

[luke.B]

 was wondering what everyone thought were on feeding or not feeding during burmations?

[kibakiba]

I wouldn't feed, it's cold enough to make their metabolism stop and the food will likely rot in their stomachs.

[guidofatherof5]

Never. Brumation is a time of fasting. Chantel advice is solid.

[RedSidedSPR]

It would kill them wouldn't it? I mean, if you brumate without a 2 week fast first, they die...

[kibakiba]

That would be the food rotting and them going septic, I believe it's called. Imagine food rotting in your belly, not being able to digest it.

[infernalis]

What has been said is fact...

If you want to feed them, then don't brumate.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

If the snakes are properly brumating, they would not show interest in food anyways. Snakes enter a natural period of fasting even before brumation in the wild. This is why around this time of year, many people's snakes go off feed even if it's still warm inside the home. They go into a rather zombie like state during brumation. They are alert, but "not all there". Regardless, they should not be offered food, as it will be the death of them if they take it!

[amattel]

I have a male who has just gone off feeding.. can I keep him safely over winter at reduced temps but not full blown brumation?

Perhaps just removing the heat lamp so temps would range from upper 60's to low 70's in the room?

What is the max temperature for actual brumation?

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Garter snakes are the most cold tolerant snakes there are. Couple that with their high metabolism and your snake will starve if kept at those temps without food. Garter snakes will remain active, alert and feeding even in the 50's. In order to brumate you need to drop down into the 40's or even the high 30's! His metabolism will slow down some at cooler temps but it won't stop as in a state of brumation. If you don't want to do a full blown brumation and the snake has gone off feed, try unplugging the heat and lights for a week or two and put the cage in the coolest area of your house. After that time, kick the heat back on. Sometimes just a short cooling period is enough to jumpstart feeding (and even breeding) activity. In a week or two the snake will not starve or even lose weight. You could also consider refrigerating the snake for a period of time if he is really longing for a cold snap and you want him to wake up hungry. Or try a food item that's not commonly offered, sometimes a new type of food can stimulate the curious nature of a garter!

[amattel]

Garter snakes are the most cold tolerant snakes there are. Couple that with their high metabolism and your snake will starve if kept at those temps without food. Garter snakes will remain active, alert and feeding even in the 50's. In order to brumate you need to drop down into the 40's or even the high 30's! His metabolism will slow down some at cooler temps but it won't stop as in a state of brumation. If you don't want to do a full blown brumation and the snake has gone off feed, try unplugging the heat and lights for a week or two and put the cage in the coolest area of your house. After that time, kick the heat back on. Sometimes just a short cooling period is enough to jumpstart feeding (and even breeding) activity. In a week or two the snake will not starve or even lose weight. You could also consider refrigerating the snake for a period of time if he is really longing for a cold snap and you want him to wake up hungry. Or try a food item that's not commonly offered, sometimes a new type of food can stimulate the curious nature of a garter!

thanks for sharing your wisdom!

I will check the temps in my refrigerator to see if they are suitable.