Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

Should I hibernate my grey ratsnake eventhough I don't intend to breed from her?
If yes, what should I be doing?

Thanx in advance.

Kat x

1 American 'white oak' grey rat snake-Happy 1st Birthday Amazon!!!!!(today)

...she has refused to feed for the past 3 weeks, eventhough I have offered her a fuzzy mouse every 3 days(Sat, Wed, Sat, Wed etc)
As I said, I don't intend to breed from her, so does she need a period of brumation?
If she does, should I still offer her food or should I just leave her alone?

A run through of what I should be doing would be a huge help.
Either:
Don't hibernate her.
OR
Steps I should be carrying out.

I am a little worried because she used to eat every Saturday from when I got her in February up to 26th July (Feeding irregular after this date)so a quick response would be much appreciated.

Thanx

Kat x

because she isn't feeding. If she was feeding, I wouldn't hibernate her.

Brumation steps:

1) Keep her at normal activity temperature for two weeks to let her empty her gut. She has done this.

2) If the cage temperature is fairly constant both day and night, turn off the heat at night and let her temperature fall to room temperature (~70 F). During the day she can be warmed back to her regular temperature. Do this for a week. If you give her a temperature cycle already, with nighttime temperature falling to room temperature, you can skip this step.

3) Turn off the heat and hold her at room temperature for two weeks.

4) Drop her temperature to somewhere in the 55-60 F range. Hold her there for two months in total or near total darkness. Provide fresh water weekly. Some light is acceptable when watering.

5) When brumation is over, bring her up to room temperature and hold her there for a week. Then return her to regular activity temperature for a week, and then start offering food.

The hardest part of the program is finding a place to chill her down. A cool basement or closet floor may do the trick.

Good luck.

Paul Hollander

Thanx Paul.

I'm pleased I know what to do now.(I'll know for next year too)

Thanx for replying.

Thank you again!

Kat.