Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't really know what to do. I got 4 baby cornsnakes and a baby Glossy snake last year and they just lived in my livining room with me at 75ish degrees including their under tank heater. They ate all winter. Ok... now this winter I have the same 4 corns and Glossy, plus a male Mexican Black King (about two years old) and a female Ball Python (about 4 years). Well... the 4 corns and the glossy are still eating and doing their thing, but the King has slowed WAY down on eating with only having had a large fuzzy over a week ago. He's still cruising the cage. The Ball, though, quite eating over a month ago and has quit cruising her cage. The thing is... I don't have a place to put these guys to cool them (I don't plan to breed them). Outside, or in the garage, is risky because it can go anywhere from the teens to 70 degrees here lately. But being in here with me they'll be at a constant 75ish degrees... plus their under tank heaters if they choose to use them. Any suggestions on how to do this? Or am I just not supposed to have any snakes?

Thanks so much
MissHisssss

I think you may already be cooling the king and the ball! Considering the climate of their native habitats, they're probably used to more than 75-ish temperatures during their active season, so room temperature is probably a nominal brumation temperature for them. So you may not have to do much of anything this winter, except perhaps move them to a darker locale or give them some extra cover.

But if you don't plan on breeding them, there's really no need to brumate them. I suspect that if you warm them up some more (85 or so?), they'll start eating again.
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MichaelB

Thanks Michael. So should I turn off their under tank heaters too? And why is my King still cruising around as though he's hunting for food? Shouldn't he be laying still? Or should I just go ahead and pump up his heat to 85 (which he's always hated, by the way) and try to feed him for the winter instead of letting him sleep? Just curious.

MissHisssss

Let's try warming one side of the enclosure up to around 80-85, and leave the other side at room temp, and see where he goes. If he goes to the warm side, or continues to cruise back and forth, try feeding him again. If he stays on the coolish side, take the heat back off and bring the warm side back down to room temp. He may be cruising around looking for a spot to snooze in. If he doesn't eat, give him some more shade and make sure he has a nice, solid hidey place to retire to. What the heck, if he wants to brumate, let him brumate - no harm done. And it'll save you the cost of feeding him all winter, right?
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MichaelB

I'll try your suggestion and see what happens. Thanks so much for sharing your knowlege.

I LOVE these forums
MissHisssss