Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

My baby garter snake hasn't eaten for over a week, and its color is extremely dull and it spends its time under its hiding rock. Its eyes are not cloudy though, so I don't think it will shed. Is it getting ready for hibernation? I don't want the snake to hibernate, so what should I do? I changed its light into one that emits more heat so it is warmer inside the terrarium. Any advice will be appreciated gratefully. Thank you!

Nor

I don't know if you check on your snake every day or two...But is it possible that you missed the "cloudy eyes" stage? Remember: First the eyes cloud up, then they clear up, then the snake will shed. If the skin looks dull, I think shedding is possible. That said:
A week without eating is certainly nothing to worry about if your snake is otherwise healthy. And... It is very possible that your snake is considering hibernation this time of year, especially if it gets enough "window" light to be in tune with the shortening days (I think this has as much, if not more, impact on our snakes as temperature). My garters have not eaten in 2-3 weeks. Will they eat today? Maybe/maybe not. A couple of years ago, this would have worried me. Now, not at all. If one or more of my snakes decide to hibernate, I let them go for it. If they go more than a month or two without eating anything, I put them in the basement for a few weeks (colder, darker) and then bring them back up. They usually start eating for me about a week later. Good luck. Don't worry. And remember....YOU may not be the one to decide if your snake goes into hibernation this time of year. Let nature take its course.
Duffy

Hi Duffy,

I have changed the light to make it warming inside the snake's terrarium, and there has been an obvious changed in behavior. He has been out basking on his rock, soaking in his water bowl, but has not been eating yet. The temperature inside the tank is much warmer, and the snake is very active and his colors are bright again. Do I have to worry about hibernation still?

Nor

Truly, only time will tell. The changes may prompt him to start eating. Or...The shorter days may still be in charge. I have gotten to the point where I always continue to offer food, but any of my snakes that go a couple of months without eating wind up in the basement. Right now, it looks like my two largest ratsnakes (a male and female) are on an extended hunger strike, so their brumation (hibernation) will probably also prompt me to put them together in the spring and let nature take its course.

Each snake seems to react differently to these shorter days, and what an individual snake does one year will not always be the same the next. Go with the flow...If he eats, great. If not, brumate.............