Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently got a checkered garter snake and he ate within the first week that I got him, and now he hasn't eaten in about 3 weeks. He's not going to shed, he's already done that weeks ago. I was told I need to hibernate him from this website, but I asked someone at a pet store what I would need to hibernate him, and they told me I would have to let him go, he can't hibernate in captivity. I live in NY and the temperature is cold now. I don't want to let him go and I think it's probably too cold to let him go right now. Can I hibernate him in captivity? How do you suggest I get the cage down to 55-65 degrees? How long should I hibernate him for? My other checkered garter I've had for years and never hibernates, they share a cage, should I hibernate them together? They won't die if the hibernation doesn't work will they?

PLEASE HELP!!!

Thanks,

Kristen

The checkered garter snake, Thamnophis marcianus, is not native to NY, and you definitely can not let it go. NEVER release any non-native species. If it is an eastern garter, it may be too late to release it. Either way, to hibernate it, don't feed it for two weeks, then lower the temperature to around 45. 55 is too high.35 is too low. Keep it at that temp for at least two months, better three. This might be done in a garage, basement, attic, depends on where you live. Make sure it has water. The checkered is from a warmer climate than your easterns, so it could hibernate at the higher temp range and shorter period. When you warm it back up, it should be hungry.
That said, most captive-borns and lots of wild-caught don't stop feeding on their own in winter unless they get too cold. Usually you only hibernate them to trigger the mating response after hibernation. The snake should be in top health before hibernating, so make sure nothing is wrong with it first.

I have always felt that the shorter days trigger a hibernation response in many of our animals regardless of the temperatures. My garters (and some of my ratsnakes) have been off feed for several weeks now. If they stay off much longer, I will put them in a cooler, darker place. I have found that even a few WEEKS of cooler temps (55 may well be OK) combined with darkness, can get them to "cycle back up" and begin feeding again. Good luck. Duffy

Garters respond to a variety of cues for hibernation. Duffy may be right about photo-period, but my snake room has no windows and the lights are on timers and some wc garters go off food around this time anyway. I do think hibernating at 55 degrees keeps their metabolism too high resulting in lower fertility. But if you aren't trying to breed them, this may not be a concern. In any case, keep track of what works and what doesn't and share your results. That way we all learn.