It so happens I just had a conversation with a colleague today about hibernation temps. He reports that northern fox snakes which were monitored during winter rest selected thermal ranges between 45-50 degrees. The fox snakes had access to other temps but moved within their hibernaculum as necessary to maintain this range.

I'd say your temps are high, but constant darkness is an important factor. Many years ago, when keepers were just starting out cooling their reptiles for winter, there was a bit of a debate about whether cool temps were as important as darkness. Some keepers claimed the same results with darkness at moderate temps and others preferred temps in the mid-40s to low 50s plus darkness. I've had snakes voluntarily decide to stop moving or feeding even with the automatic lights left on as scheduled. It seems to be a seasonal response to changing climate and the approach of winter.

If there is nothing you can do to lower the temps, the point is moot. Watch your animals and see if they seem to be losing weight or declining in some way. If they don't look good, take them out and let them stay awake and feeding for the rest of the winter.

If you have a spare room you can close off, and if temps drop low enough, you might try leaving a window open and putting a fan in the window to pull cool air into the room. I live far enough north that it's bitter cold already so no problem keeping things cool--I have to be careful they don't get too cold.

If you're resting your snakes with the plan to breed them, it may be worth considering the many reports of successful breeding in collections that never brumate their snakes. I do believe that cooling improves the chances of breeding but it would appear that it's not absolutely necessary.

[ Hide Replies ]

• Brumating Temp.(Black Rats) - LM71, Mon Dec 6 13:07:50 2010
• RE: Brumating Temp.(Black Rats) - 53kw, Mon Dec 6 16:40:34 2010
• RE: Brumating Temp.(Black Rats) - BillMcgElaphe, Tue Dec 7 08:13:39 2010
• I like Bill's method - 53kw, Tue Dec 7 08:57:36 2010
• RE: I like Bill's method - CBH, Thu Dec 9 12:36:34 2010
• Like Ranco 111000 - BillMcgElaphe, Thu Dec 9 18:56:29 2010
• RE: Brumating Temp.(Black Rats) - LM71, Tue Dec 7 10:02:55 2010
• RE: Brumating Temp.(Black Rats) - ratsnakehaven, Tue Dec 7 15:36:00 2010