Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys!!
I wanted to know how long you typically wait til you bring your snakes out of hibernation/brumation? Do you wait a certain amount of time or let it depend on the weather?
I live in Northeast Ohio and it is cold, cold all winter long usually. Do I need to wait til winter is over to bring my snake up? I don't want to leave her hibernating too long or not long enough. How do I know when to bring her up? Plus I miss her, lol! I had just caught her not too long b4 she decided to brumate.

Thanx in advance for your help!

Cyndi

Quick question, what do you mean she decided?

umm, im pretty sure there is no set time. It is basically how long you want. a few months is normal.she didnt eat 2 weeks before hibernating right? if she did start to bring her out as soon as possible.if they eat withn 2 weeks before hibernating the food might still be in her digestive system, and could rot inside her...most likely killing her. You have to bring her out gradually, increasing the temp, and few degrees per week.

Well, I wasn't going to hibernate her but she refused food for about 3 weeks and became less active. Believe me, I asked many questions on here as soon as I got her to make sure I was doing everything right. Just never really found out how long to hibernate her for. I check on her every other day or so and she's doing ok, so......I'm just trying to figure out when to bring her up!

Thanks!

ive done it for a few weeks and they were fine and produced all fertile babies , a decent amount too .

I forgot to mention, not sure if it makes any difference, but I am not planning on breeding her.....I'm not even 100% sure that she's a she. I hope to figure that out soon for sure, but I just call her a she because I was pretty sure she was.
Well, it's been 8 or 9 weeks since I've had her in hibernation....that should be long enough, right?

im sorry if that came off a bit rude, i didnt know you had any prior knowledge

Oh, that's ok! No apology necessary. I don't mind hearing stuff again, that's how I learn. I have just recently learned what I do know from here and other resources online. Trying to do right by my snake....you know!
Thanks for your help!

Who says you have to bring them out gradually?

To the contrary, warming them to the point where thier metabolism becomes more active means they are consuming calories that they're not replenishing.

I bring mine to room temps for a day or two and then put the heat back on. Once they're nice and warm I offer them food as soon as they'll take it. Usually the males will have "other things" on thier mind and will refuse food during breeding season. My female concinnus eat just great during breeding season.

Though I don't necessarily intend on breeding my female infernalis this year, she seems to be spending all her time coiled under her water bowl and has become very inactive. As such, I'll probably stick her in the attic for 6 weeks and let her sleep.

Good luck with your garter, they're great snakes.

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"Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it."

Thanks very much for your input! I was going to warm her up exactly that way, over a few days. I only have the one snake, so hopefully she'll start eating pretty quick.

I agree, garters are great snakes. She's my first one and I wouldn't trade her for the world. I may even get a friend for her, someday!

Thanks again!

Cyndi