Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. #1
    Never shed
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    30
    Country: United States

    I intend to brumate

    What do yall think about this brumation/hibernation plan. Weekly feeding until the start of december. Mid december shut down heat. no feeding but fresh water for 2 1/2 months, until start of march. Does this sound like a rational plan?

  2. #2
    Smells Like Teen Spirit Invisible Snake's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    1,796
    Country: United States

    Re: I intend to brumate

    I think there are a few details missing in order for us to evaluate your brumation plans. For instance..

    What will the temps be in the enclosure while the heat is off?

    Is he/she a baby or an adult?

    Do you plan on limiting the daylight cycle?

  3. #3
    "Preparing For Fourth shed" snake man's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Posts
    714
    Country: United States

    Re: I intend to brumate

    you done need to brumate unless there are certain curcamstances.
    0.1 Red axanthic x red radix

  4. #4
    Never shed
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    30
    Country: United States

    Re: I intend to brumate

    The ambient temp of the enclosure with the heat off will probably be around 64 deg. It is a healthy male adult. The daylight cycle will be limited naturally that time of year, I dont plan on covering the tank.

  5. #5
    Smells Like Teen Spirit Invisible Snake's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    1,796
    Country: United States

    Re: I intend to brumate

    I think the ambient temperature is a bit high for brumation. It would be better if it were around 55 degrees F.

    Sorry I also forgot to ask what species/subspecies is your garter?

  6. #6
    Never shed
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    30
    Country: United States

    Re: I intend to brumate

    Quote Originally Posted by Invisible Snake View Post
    I think the ambient temperature is a bit high for brumation. It would be better if it were around 55 degrees F.

    Sorry I also forgot to ask what species/subspecies is your garter?
    Its an EASTERN garter

  7. #7
    Adult snake Greg'sGarters's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Hackensack, NJ
    Posts
    626
    Country: United States

    Re: I intend to brumate

    You should only brumate snakes if...

    A. They naturally stop eating at a certain time of the year.

    B. You intend on breeding them.

    Otherwise, brumation is WAY too much trouble just because you want to. You should to have a constant temperature of 52ºF. You should put them in your refrigerator (cranked all the way up) or a cold dark place. NEVER LET THE TEMPERATURE GET ABOVE 60º!!! If it gets above 60º your snakes metabolism will speed up and they will burn fat quicker and eventually die when they don't have enough fat left. 3 weeks before you brumate them, stop feeding them. 3 days before brumating them. Soak them in bath-temperature water twice a day for 3 days. The warm water encourages them to expel any waste that may be left in their system. Brumate them in plastic containers with air holes. I use a mix of Keepers Choice and CareFresh. Keep a water bowl in there because they don't eat during brumation but they drink.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •