Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Alright I'm gonna post this again since last time I was the only post that didn't get a reply. Hi, currently my california kingsnake is going through hibernation as I have concluded due to asking from previous posts and replies. Right now he is in his cave without the light on until February. But he looks like he might be shedding (pale skin). I cannot tell for sure because I don't want to lift the cave up. Should I lift it up or should I wait it out? And also, should I have the light on during shedding? As well, is it true the temp should be around 65-70 for hibernating til february? or should I keep the light on during the day in winter? Thanks,

Jason

Our snake is in hibernation and she shed too. Ive heard it happens sometimes. No need for the light, but I would say that 70 is too warm. Try to get down to 60. Your snake will be fine shedding on its own.

Hey Jason,

First of all a little background is needed to properly answer some of your questions. Did you prepare him for hibernation i.e. keep heat to him well after his last meal so he could completely clear out BEFORE he goes down? Are you hibernating for breeding purposes or just because he has gone off feed? If he is just a pet snake I would not change a thing and not worry about sporatic feeding through the winter, that is very common. My concern would be with his possible shed if he did not have proper temps to digest food etc prior to being subjected to colder temps. I would check him and monitor his state but again a little background is needed.

Matt

Ok i'll answer as many questions as I can and give you info. He hasn't eaten since Oct. 9th, which was a live mouse. And yes, i kept him warm during this time. I was told by many posts, that the reason he hasn't been eating for so long is because he is going into hibernation and shouldn't eat until february most likely. He is just a pet snake, but I have run out of things to do for feeding, because he just won't eat anymore. Also, Should I still be handling him during winter time every so often (3-4 days a week)? Other info. is his temp. is around 68, he is a little less active than normal, his light is off, anything else i'd be glad to answer. One more q, should i be weighing him every so often? Thanks a lot,

~Jason

You don't need to worry too much about bugging him during brumation. You can check on him here and there to make sure things are ok. I check on mine every 10 days or so just to make sure the enclosure is clean, the water is clean and etc.

However, what you're doing is NOT brumation. You need to get the temps down to about 55F to safely brumate your snake. If you continue to keep your snake at the current temps until February, your snake could A) lose some weight and B) not be prepared to breed in the spring. "Skinny" snakes, especially females, should not be bred.

Find a nice dark closet in the basement and check the temps there. That's usually the easiest way to find 53-60 temps in your house.
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www.cranwill.com

What about brumating in a crawlspace? I have one that so far has not gotten too cold (60F).I live in Colorado so I am worried about sticking them down there. Any thoughts would be nice. Thanks, Josh

ok lets get down to basics. i have been breeding colubrids on and off for 20 years, and heres what works for me and will for you. for cal kings, hibernate 3 months at temps between 50/60, 55 is ideal. i check my snakes once a month for water etc.. dont pick them up and play with them, if they look fine leave them alone. dont worry about them going into shed, it will just take longer but they will shed in hibernation. i hibernate thanksgiving weekend to march 1st. then gradually warm back to normal temps by middle of march, and turn off the lights when they are hibernating!! just my thoughts/jon

If the snake is just a pet and you are not planning on breeding him then there is no need for brumation. It is not uncommon for a Cal king to slow down in its eating habits in the winter. It is a pet snake and you should be able to enjoy it as such all year long. I have many snakes that I breed and put through the brumation cycle but I also have a pet Cal king that my kids enjoy all year long and she stays in my sons room with heat and the whole bit all year. Her feeding response slows alot in winter so I only offer every 2-3 weeks and sometimes she does'nt eat. I just offer again in another couple of weeks and when she wants to eat she will. ENJOY your snake and don't worry about the change in eating habits, it is normal, come spring your snake will again eat like a king.

Matt

Thanks a lot for all your help, hopefully he'll eat soon since he hasn't eaten since Oct. 9th.

~Jason