Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello gang!
hope all your herps are doing fine! I put my box turtles down for a couple months of hibernation today, and got to peak in on my Northern Pines. All lookin good! Those guys have a couple more weeks yet before I bring them out. The question is this, how long do you wait to feed after bringing snakes out of hibernation? My corns came out last week, and were put in heated cages yesterday. Today I noticed my female okeetee corn poised and ready for a meal. Could she eat already and have no bad effects from being fed so shortly after hibernation? Usually I wait a week to feed. Just curious to see how long you guys wait.
Russell Keys
Keys Reptiles

Keys Reptiles

Hi Russell -
I wait a week on mine. I've seen some who will begin feeding after three or four days if the snake is moving around good. I start out with a small food item. Some I give a large fuzzy to start. Good luck on your breedings this year.

Terry Parks

The snake will tell you when it's ready to eat, by eating.

Sounds like she's ready. Offer something small and see what happens. Just make sure your temps are back up in the digestion-friendly range (which it sounds like you've already done).

Good luck.

-Brandon
www.nosnakeban.org