Hibernation?

[br0k3nl0v3r]

How do I tell if my Garter Snake is hibernating?

Today I came home from school and he was tangled slightly in the corner of his cage. His tail was up on a branch like thing I had in his cage. I assumed he died and took him out of the cage. He was very stiff and he smelled like a dead animal. Not to be sick...but,he did. So,I think he died. My dad says all reptiles smell but,I don't think like that. The furnace in my house went out last night and was not working,so,it did get quite cold. I did not have the heating mat on last night due to my cell phone being charged. Can someone PLEASE help me?

[adamanteus]

Candace, if he appears dead, is stiff and he smells bad, I think he is probably dead. If he was only brumating (hibernating) you would still get some rsponse from him when you handled him. Sorry.

[br0k3nl0v3r]

Awwww. That's so sad :'(

[adamanteus]

I know, and I'm really sorry. Please make sure that I'm right though, before you dispose of the body.... remember I haven't seen him, I'm only going off what you have written.

[Stefan-A]

James is right, your garter is indeed dead. Sorry. Wouldn't want to speculate on what it was that killed him, though.

[br0k3nl0v3r]

I have him in a coffee can. My dad told me maybe he was hibernating and told me to keep him ad maybe he'd snap out of it...

[drache]

sorry about your bad news, Candace

[adamanteus]

I'm so sorry that your first reason to post on the forum was with such bad news. I hope you'll stay around and maybe one day get another Garter Snake. There are plenty of people here who are more than willing to help you get things right and share their knowledge with you. Too bad that he died, Candace.

[Sid]

Also sorry to hear the bad news.

[anji1971]

Sorry about your loss.