Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello
Last winter my Thayeri stopped eating and 'slept" Jan/Feb . I didnt want to brumate him than and kept the UTH on plus the room was mid 70s .
He lost a little bit of weight but no problem. This year I intend to just brumate and come dec would like to put him in a cool room with his UTH on but slowly shut it off.
I know not to feed him 2 weeks prior and make sure he has defecated his last meal .
What else should I do? . I have no intention of breeding but think he prefers to brumate thus will do it .

The cool room gets to 55 come Jan/Fen but can increase temp if to cold .

Thanks

You can brumate him if you want to, but if you are not going to breed him there's really no reason to. If he's not eating instinctually in Jan, and Feb that's ok. Mine do lose a little weight while in brumation, but I feed them heavy for a couple months before hand to compinsate. I put mine in a closet that only gets around 60 degrees, and I've never had a problem. Just make sure if you are going to put him down that you bulk him up first. Other than that just check on him every few days, and make sure he has fresh water.
Ken

Thanks for the info. Your right since not going to breed him might not. He didnt eat last yr for 2 months and slept but his tank (30 gallon long) has plenty of room for warm/cool side so might just keep things as are.
I thought it would be harmful not to brumate him but will play it by ear .
Will see what he does .

Thanks

Things can go wrong during brumation. I have lost two Rosy Boas over the years during brumation and know other people that have lost what appeared to be happy healthy Thayeri. I do not feed for three weeks prior to turning the temps off. If you are not breeding, I see know reason to do it. Your male is probably going off feed because the ambient temperature on the cool side has dropped. Most of mine that are not brumated slow down their feeding but still eat smaller meals less often.
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Rick
Never Enough
Reptiles