Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a '03 hatchling. She's feeding on rat pinks and growing like a weed. I had no problem keeping her going this winter, but I'm concerned about the upcoming winter. I'll try to keep her going, but if she stops eating will I need to cool her? Or, would it be OK to allow her to fast for several months? These guys seem to have a really fast metabolism. I'd hate to risk an RI if I can avoid it. Also, could anybody give me details on how to cool a snake to about 50 degrees? I'll have to keep her in my garage where the temps drop to below freezing at times in the winter. Thanks...

We use 14-15C for schrenkii hybernation period. This take 2.5 monats from oktober to january. If you fear RI you must dont create too wet conditions in winter cage. It is better if snakes will be keep at this period in dry conditions with small bowl of water in cage.

T in your garage can kill your snakes.
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Ivan Arinin
Tula Exotarium
ICQ 151665951
E.g. guttata Normal 2.3
E.g. guttata Albino 2.4
E.g. guttata Oketee 2.0
E.g. guttata Hypo Oketee 1.1
E.g. guttata Albino Okeetee 2.2
E.g. guttata Ghost 2.3
E.g. guttata Motley 2.2
E.g. guttata Albino Motley 2.2
E.g. guttata Anerythristic 2.2
E.g. guttata Snow 2.4
E.g. guttata Creamsicle 2.1
E.g. rosacea 2.2
E.g. emoryi 2.2

E. persica black 3.4
E. persica brown 2.1
E. longissima 4.6
E. situla 3.3
E. dione 54
E. bimaculata 4.3
E. quatourlineata 10.15

E. o. obsoleta yellow 2.2
E. o. lindheimeri White Sided 2.2.
E. o. lindheomeri Leucistic 1.2
E. o. lindheimeri Black Orange 2.2
E. o. quatourlineata 1.3
E. o. quatourlineata Deckerti 2.2
E. o. quatourlineata Williamsi 1.0
E. o. rossalleni 2.2

Langaha madagascariensis 2.1.12
Cylindrophis ruffus 0.1
Enhydris plumbea 1.0

Russian rat snakes are very hardy. I kept a pair for several years. The female would keep feeding into November, but the male usually shut off around August. I kept them at about 50F in the snake room with all the other critters, but I think they can tolerate much lower temps during brumation, considering their range in the wild. They are wonderful animals to work with.

I put mine in a large under stair cupboard which has an outside wall. The temp there is around 50F at night and gos up to around 60F during the day. If it looks like getting too cold, I leave the door open at night to let a bit of warmth from the house in. He hibernates from December through to March and will stop feeding in November.

Personally, I think hibernation is a good idea for these. As you say, they do have a high metabolism and they will fast whether they are hibernated or not... It makes sense to hibernate them to slow the metabolism and stop them losing weight.

After hibernation this year, mine had lost a total of 10 grammes.

Steve.

Steve, thanks for the reply. I wish I had a place like yours to cool the snake. My house doesn't have a place that gets much below 70F during the winter. I guess I'll have to keep her outside in the garage and rig up something to keep the temps from dropping too low. Maybe I'll be lucky and keep her going again this winter.

An idea I have heard of, but have never tried...

Get a cheap second-hand fridge and take the rubber trimming off the door so it is not air tight. Monitor the temperatures and adjust them until they are in the right range, and there you go... a dark cool place without the risk of freezing.

Steve.