Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a baby garter (?) snake wildcaught in southern Ontario, Canada. We found it at the end of August, this year. It was very tiny (approx. 1 gram), but it has grown very well since then, has filled out, eats and sheds well, and is lively and alert. Should I cool and hibernate/brumate this snake? I am starting the cooling cycle for my lizards, and maintain them in the high 60s to low 70s for 2 months . Would this work for the little garter snake? It is currently set up with a UTH at 86 degrees F. Letting it back into the wild is not an option, as this snake has a deformed jaw and cannot use its tongue.
Thanks!

If you aren't planning on breeding, then hibernation isn't necessary unless he goes off feed. If he stops feeding for several weeks then put him down for a month or so.

Thanks for the advice. He seems to have slowed eating down somewhat in the last few days, so I'll wait and see. If I do put him down, would the 60s temps be low enough? Our winters get pretty cold here.