Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do you brumate or cool down these guys? I got a female last fall and didn't cool her last winter but as of this week, she has been really running around the tank and not wanting to eat. I live in Ohio and we did recently have a snow. Any advice? Thanks!

If your king snake is not eating, I would definitely brumate it. Even if the feeding problem is not linked to the time of year, at least you can pause its metabolism while you try to find out what the issue is. I personally doubt that your kingsnake is not eating due to the temperature, otherwise it would not be as active as you suggest.

Pinstripe

I don't have a speckled, but my Florida did not brumate the first year I had him. He behaved pretty much the same all winter, ate as usual. The second December he displayed the very same behavior you described. I lowered his temps, kept a cover over his cage to keep it dark, and he was fine.
Make sure it's pooped and has an empty stomach before you cool it down.

what temps, how long do you cool for? this is my first snake since I have always kept turtles. Any other advice?
Thanks

Mine is a Florida Kingsnake, and I imagine the needs for brumation are different for a Florida than for yours. I cooled his temps until the under the tank heater was off. I did this slowly, over a week or more. The room is in the low 60's. This seemed fine for him, he settled down and was inactive for about eight weeks. But again, I am sure the needs of speckled kingsnakes are different than the needs of a Florida.

Sorry I can't be much more help, but the main thing is to cool it down. It will burn up too much energy with the warm temps.