>>I have 3 black rats(all seperate cages) that are all wild caught. They have been doing excellent, and at this time of year I typically brumate them for 2 or 3 months. The problem is this: where I now keep them, I am having trouble getting the temp much below 59 or 60, even with the heat off. Right now, this area is really my only option for keeping them, and I was just wondering if that is cold enough. i keep the lights off all the time, and they do seem to be in hibernation mode to me. Any thoughts appreciated, thanks!





Can't argue with Bill's success, but I do things a little differently, because of my location and facilities.



I live in southern AZ and have two Herp Rooms. My brumating snakes are on the Back Porch (AZ Room) and my active snakes are in my Herp Room (bedroom). The temps on the Back Porch usually are in the mid-50's, but will vary from high 40's to mid-60's, depending on the daily weather patterns, or what kind of front is over our area. If we get temps in the 60's everyday for over a week, I might have some snakes that might want to take a small meal. If that happens I put a heating element under one end of the cage for digestion. It also depends on what species and how hardy they are. I have about eight species of rats and kings.



In my Herp Room indoors the room temp varies bt. 68 and low 70's usually. I often use a space heater to warm the room to the high 70's for part of the day. I also use a humidifier, as it gets very dry here in winter. The snakes are doing what I call a "partial brumation." I think their metabolisms slow down and they don't eat nearly as often, maybe once every two to three weeks. When they do I put the UTH in place for digestion. If I decide to do a harsher brumation with them, I might turn off any heat completely for 4 to 8 weeks. In Jan and Feb temps likely won't get out of the mid-60's.



As far as the black rats go, I don't know their size, but if juveniles I would probably think about keeping them active, although brumating wouldn't hurt them, especially if it were only 2-3 months. If adults, 60*F. is a little warm for an extended brumation, but it probably would work for a couple months. You could always offer a food item after every 3 to 4 weeks to see if they are interested in eating. After 12 weeks at 60*, I'd bet they'll be really hungry.



In summary, with everything in place, steady 60* temp, darkness, and proper cage accessories, water, etc, your snakes shouldn't have any trouble surviving. Under these conditions I would check on the snakes at least every couple weeks. Maybe you could even weigh them and monitor their weight. Let us know how it goes.








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