Sick snake, brumation, or...?

[Garty]

Thanks, all, for the kind comments. Here's the update. I turned the heat pad off this morning, and thought I'd leave Garty - my daughter's name for the snake - at room temp (around 68-70F) for another day, then move him/her to the warmer portion of our basement (~64F)for two days, and then move to the unheated back room (closer to 56F after more careful measurement).

Questions:

Is 56F too warm? I'm assuming that it will get colder in there as our outside temps (currently highs around 50F) drop, so it'll probably get below 55F fairly soon.

How often should I check on Garty and what am I looking for?

Any other advice to lessen the stress of the process? And what about the snake too?

Scott

PS - Drache, my girl is 4 1/2, and she's really watching me on this one, so I hope we get it right!

[Cazador]

Hi Scott,

Though 56 will work, just realize that you're on the upper end of the normal brumation temperature range. The main thing is to give them a stable temperature... no sudden changes.

As long as "Garty" is in good health now, it shouldn't lose more than 0.1 oz during brumation, and all you should need to do is clean the water dish and change the water every three weeks or so. If you notice the snake losing weight or becoming overly skinny, then take it out of brumation. This process happens all the time in nature all by itself, so try not to be too active around the snake while it's down. Hope this helps,

Rick

[Garty]

Well, here's an update. So far so good... temp in the cage has been a pretty steady 51-52F and our snake appears healthy. One curious thing, though: at some time in the last three weeks Garty shed (a perfect shed from tip to tail). Is this normal during brumation? Is it anything to worry about?

[Sid]

Well, here's an update. So far so good... temp in the cage has been a pretty steady 51-52F and our snake appears healthy. One curious thing, though: at some time in the last three weeks Garty shed (a perfect shed from tip to tail). Is this normal during brumation? Is it anything to worry about?

Nothing to worry about. A shed during burmation is not uncommon.

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

thats actually good that he shed fine some snakes dont shed well in brumation

[Snaky]

Like said, if the shed is in 1 piece, than there's nothing to worry about

[ssssnakeluvr]

If you have no plans on breeding...a good month brumation should be good to stimulate appetite. I have garters that either aren't big enough for breeding or don't have a mate for them that go off feed in the fall. I put them down for a month and bring them up. with the temp you are keeping him at, I'd keep a good eye on him...thats a little warmer than I would brumate at. I have found garters out and about occasionally with temps here in the low 60s and upper 50s....not very often but they are definitely more cold tolerant than most snakes. I would brumate a little colder if possible and for a month. after the month, start warming him up. after about a week you can try feeding again and he should start eating. forget the grubs, garters don't eat insects. they eat worms, slugs, fish, amphibians, and rodents.

[Garty]

If you have no plans on breeding...a good month brumation should be good to stimulate appetite. I have garters that either aren't big enough for breeding or don't have a mate for them that go off feed in the fall. I put them down for a month and bring them up. with the temp you are keeping him at, I'd keep a good eye on him...thats a little warmer than I would brumate at. I have found garters out and about occasionally with temps here in the low 60s and upper 50s....not very often but they are definitely more cold tolerant than most snakes. I would brumate a little colder if possible and for a month. after the month, start warming him up. after about a week you can try feeding again and he should start eating. forget the grubs, garters don't eat insects. they eat worms, slugs, fish, amphibians, and rodents.

Sorry ssssnakeluvr, 50 is about as low as I've been able to get him. Since it's been about 6 weeks now (so far so good), is it the consensus of the group that I should start warming him up or should I wait until closer to spring? Will our short NW photoperiod mess him up if I don't have full-spectrum lighting? With it not being worm season here, if I do bring him up what's my best shot at getting him to eat?

Thanks again everyone!

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

i would do at least 8 weeks i think that should work

Sorry ssssnakeluvr, 50 is about as low as I've been able to get him. Since it's been about 6 weeks now (so far so good), is it the consensus of the group that I should start warming him up or should I wait until closer to spring? Will our short NW photoperiod mess him up if I don't have full-spectrum lighting? With it not being worm season here, if I do bring him up what's my best shot at getting him to eat?

Thanks again everyone!

[Thamnophis]

Hello Garty, welcome here...

To make sure everyting is safe you coulc give the snake a brumation of 3 or 4 weeks max. In such a short period there is hardly any danger.