Brumation?

[sshultz]

Do you have to make your Garter snake hybernate

[guidofatherof5]

It's not necessary unless you want a much better chance at successful breeding or if you your snakes insists(goes off food for an extended period of time)

[mb90078]

You don't have to make it brumate, by any means. But as the above post alluded to, the snake itself may put itself into brumation.

[ConcinusMan]

It is a part of a natural life cycle for them and their physiology is adapted and designed for this. While there is some debate as to whether or not it is necessary, it has already been mentioned before. Many snakes, after a year or two perhaps, of not hibernating, will simply one day refuse to eat and may seek out the cooler parts of the the enclosure. This is a sign that you should brumate (hibernate) your snake, or at the very least, keep him cool enough to cause him to become completely inactive for a couple of months. Otherwise, keeping him warm may cause him to starve. Keeping him cool for a few months will require less energy so they don't lose too much weight, and will "reset his clock" so to speak.

The short answer is no, you do not have to brumate your snake but the snake might at some point give you no choice. They will let you know if they are ready and require brumating.

[Didymus20X6]

I've noticed that, during the coldest parts of winter, my Little Dude likes to go swimming. I might peek in on her, and see her basking in the near-freezing cold water.

[ConcinusMan]

Might seem near freezing to you, but often times snakes will get in the water at night, or during the winter because the water has warmed up to a point where it is slightly warmer than the air, especially at night when the temperature is dropping.

Also, getting in the water helps them avoid fast fluctuations. Water warms slowly, and cools slowly when compared to the surrounding air.