Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just recently (past seven day) my cal/king Strike, retreats to his cool moist moss hide and stays curled up in the bottom. Is he trying to brumate and if so is it ok to get him out and handle him daily?

What a clever hide!
He may also be going into blue. Handling every day seems a bit too often. I'd wait for him to come out on his own to handle him. Let him call the shots; much less stress than being pulled out of his hidey hole all the time.
-----
Bob/Chris
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire

What is Blue?
I try not to stress him. In the past, when he is out of his hidey, I put my hand in and let him smell me and then I let him slither into my hand. I don't pick him up, outright. But since he has been in his hidey, I let him smell me and then I gently pick him up. He doesn't seem to be stressed. I handle him once a day on weekdays and two or three times on the weekend. I just want him to be comfortable with that routine. If ya'll think that is to much I will consider altering that routine.
Also I would like for him to eat regularly through his first two winters of his life until he is two years old, before he brumates.

"Blue" is the color they turn while going through a shed cycle.

0>>What is Blue?
>>I try not to stress him. In the past, when he is out of his hidey, I put my hand in and let him smell me and then I let him slither into my hand. I don't pick him up, outright. But since he has been in his hidey, I let him smell me and then I gently pick him up. He doesn't seem to be stressed. I handle him once a day on weekdays and two or three times on the weekend. I just want him to be comfortable with that routine. If ya'll think that is to much I will consider altering that routine.
>>Also I would like for him to eat regularly through his first two winters of his life until he is two years old, before he brumates.
-----
1.1 Pituophis lineaticollis lineaticollis
1.1 Black Pine
1.2 Still Water Hypos
0.1 Possibly stillwater x Red Bull
1.2 N. Pinesnake
1.1 Eastern Kings
1.1 Black Milksnake
0.0.1 Plains Garter
1.0 Chow Chow(2003 Papi)
0.1 Cat(Shug

Blue is when they are getting ready to shed. The old skin turns dull and the eyes get cloudy. They can't see well during this phase and tend to like to stay in a cool moist spot.

One of my pyros in blue.
After the blue goes away they will shed their old skin in a few days. The whole process from start to finish takes about two weeks.

It sounds like you are handling him okay.
-----
Bob/Chris
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire

I forgot to add, while in blue they usually do not want to feed, but a couple days after shedding will eat again.
-----
Bob/Chris
Pyromaniac AKA Greatballzofire

Thanks guys for all the comments.

I might add that if you want your snake to eat throughout the first couple of years you will need to provide access to temperatures for at least part of his cage in the low to mid 80's.
That will keep his digestive system working and along with it his appetite.

--Dennis