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This will be her second winter. Last year went well. I had her all bulked up prior to the cold season, and in March she emerged looking dandy. This year Im concerned though because her body weight doesnt look as substantial, and I dont know if she have enough reserves to make the nearly 6 mo. of inactivity. Am I overworrying? I made her a den about 1 foot in deapth and at least 6 in of dirt underneath to help insulate.

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if your worried about it surviving the cool down then just dont cool them down...its that simple..as long as you dont intend on breeding them there no need for it...i keep my snakes at the same temp year round and there all doin great

Even when I had her inside last year with the rest of my herps, she just completely stopped eating in mid sept. This year I ve had her outside the entire year, and just like clockwork she just stopped eating. I dont think its something I have control over.

-Michelle

Still looking for answers!!!!!

I have worked with Northern Pacifics for about 10 years, let me see if I can help you.
First question: Why do you have so much dirt in the snakes enclosure? If you are hibernating outside in order to simulate natural temps than place her in a ventilated sweaterbox and place that in a large Igloo ice chest (trust me)place the icechest in a quiet, cool area free from rain or possible snow. Make sure the drain plug is open for air exchange but make sure to cover it with a piece of screen. Put a thermometer inside the icechest that reads high and low temps. Place a water dish in with the snake as well and check this once a week. This method has worked very well for me with wild caught crotalus, leopard lizards, and collard lizards. All animals proceeded to court and breed with success at the end of the 12 week period. This was done at around sea level in the Sonoma County area in California. If you are above 1000' in elevation or farther north I would hibernate the snake with the same method only put the icechest in the garage or any other indoor, out-of-the-way place, that is above all secure from prying eyes or hands (children or nosy friends). Label the icechest with some sort of warning to protect yourself, and others.

Second Question: Why are you hibernating the snake for that long? That is way to long to hibernate most any snake except for a european adder perhaps. I would suggest 12 weeks maximum (I have done this with all oreganus I have kept). If she appears underweight at all DO NOT HIBERNATE HER, or shorten the hibernation to 6-8 weeks.
Northern Pacifics are great snakes, some are very mellow some are not but they are a nice animal for display and fairly easy to breed. I have a densite that I have monitored for over 10 years and I never get tired of seeing them. Good luck I hope this helped you out!

Cheers
Brett