Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, I followed everyones advice and brumated my 09 wild caught baby black rat. He seems to be doing fine.

My only question at this point is - he seems to be out more than older snakes that I have brumated. I have him at a constant temp range of 52 of a low, and as high as 58 or so as a high, but generally it is right at about 55. I feel that this temp is adequate, some I know brumate snakes at 58-64. This little guy seems to be out almost daily though, is this normal, or do I need to lower temp?? The cage is pretty much dark also. Thank you for your help.

Although I no longer work with them, when I kept Black Rats they'd frequently be active during brumation. This would include crawling around their cage. Black Rats live in colder climates than other North American ratsnakes, so this does not surprise me.

Tim

A Black Rat I found this summer:

Third Eye

Thanks for the reply.