Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I purchased an Arizona mt king during the summer .
Overall doing great eating well,etc. However it looks like it wants a winter rest. Even with heat pad its slowed down and not eating nearly as much.
I read a few posts that said this was normal. My question is how do I brumate(think thats the term) it. Should I just shut off the heating pad (room temp 68), is room to warm to brumate it? Snake has heating pad under one side of its 20 gallon long tank.One Hide area over heat pad and one over cool side of tank.
If 68 a bit to warm I can simply put tank in basement during this period (60 degrees).
Thanks.
Luis

Before you brumate, make sure that your snake has not eaten for at least two weeks. They need that time at normal temps to digest all food that is in their gut.

When you are ready, gradually lower the temps over a period of days and put the snake in your basement. Ideal temps for brumating pyros are about 50 to 55 degrees. That's hard to do in my home in AZ, but I get them down to an average of about 60 and they do just fine.

The 68 degree ambient temps in your room would be too warm, and your snake may lose too much weight.

Greg

Thanks for the help. If I can ask you another question.
How long should I brumate for? Its not for breeding just I can tell it wants to "rest".
I am going to hook up the heat pad to a temp controller and start gradually lowering temp. It hasnt eaten in two weeks so thats not a problem.
Thanks.
Luis

I brumate my snakes until late Febuary or early March. Bring them back up to normal temps over a period of a few days. During brumation your snake's activity will slow down, but it will still remain active. It's important to make sure that there is fresh water for him to drink.

Okay great . Thanks a lot for the help.
Luis

Luis, if it's a baby snake, I'm assuming it is, I'd put it in the basement for 4 to 8 weeks. I usually cool my babies at least four wks. in mid-winter. Most don't eat too well at that time anyway. If they are eating well, you could keep them going, but most snakes, especially from high latitudes or high elevation, like pyros, will want to have at least a short cooling. Your pyro should do well at 60*F, as long as you don't keep it there too long. I wouldn't go more than 8 wks. tops. Luck...TC.

Yes its a baby snake. It was eating nicely over the summer and doing well. Lately it seems that it wanted to "sleep" for awhile. I am going to cool it in my basement for 6 weeks in which will bring me to Feb.
I will ofcourse keep freshwater with him. I had no plans to cool him for awhile but I think he would prefer it.
His eating is off to so might as well.
Thanks.
Luis