Just make sure that the gut is empty before you cool them. A fast of at least 3 weeks is usually sufficient. I keep water in the cage for them while they brumate, other people offer water once a week or so. Either way is fine. Try to keep them dark, keep the temp as constant as possible and don't disturb them any more than you have to.



As far as the cooling down process, I usually just lower the temps a couple of degrees a day until I get to my desired temp. That usually takes 2 weeks or so. What I do is just put them in my garage in a corner that stays at a pretty constant 60 degrees all winter. When I first put them out there, I have human heating pads under the cages. I just turn the heat down a little every day until I can turn it off completely. Then I just throw some blankets over the cages and check the once every couple of weeks to make sure they still have water and everyone is OK.

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