Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here is the scenario. We have had to discontinue the use of the hvac since our daughter has tested positive for allergies to cats and everything else under the sun (got rid of the cat). The house we are in is a rental since our new home is under construction (just started and wont be ready till spring). We have a wood stove that heats the whole house really well, too well actually. I can't find a spot cool enough for brumating the corns/kings real well. We will definitly need the wood stove as the weather is getting cooler in VA but the temps are constantly above 70 degrees even in the farthest upstairs bedroom. Any alternative methods out there?

At least not in the way that you are thinking. I usually give my kings a short brumation, but they actually breed just fine without it.

I would suggest letting them stay up for the winter. If you have a thermostat that can set a nighttime drop, that is often a good way to let the snakes know what time of year it is while still being able to feed and digest. Alternatively you could just cool down to room temps for just 3 or four weeks. What I would do is put them someplace where they dont get a ton of light and then let them do what they want. SOme will probobly stop feeding on their own and they are telling you something. those you could turn down the temps on. Others will probobly eat through the winter and breed just fine in the spring. If you remove supplimental heat and put the cages someplace whithout to many hours of light, even at 70 degrees that will be more then enough to let em know what time of year it is. Just be concious whatever you do, a snake that wants to hibernate but is forced to stay to warm isnot in a good situation. he could be too cold to eat but not cold enough to shut down its metabolism properly thus losing to much energy/weight.

Do you have a small room or an extra bathroom that you do not use often? If you do then put the snakes in and crack open a window to let in some cool air to drop the temp.

Although this may be a bit of a controversial suggestion, this has worked for me over many seasons.

I think the cooling thing is mostly understood to cylce snakes. You have to give the snakes more credit as to what they sense is going on in their gographical location. And you are in a good place with very seasonal weather outdoors..

Just find the coolest dark closet and keep them in complete darkeness. They will cycle fine and will breed in the spring.

If you need to feed them make sure you raise the temps so they can properly digest their food for two weeks and then put them down to 70F again.

Now if you were down near the equator (South florida for instance) this would be a different situation with the temps. But where you are at the snake knows whats going on outside and the higher temps won't confuse them to cycle.