Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can anyone give me a detailed run down on what exactly to do to hibernate a Pituothis melanoleucus? I currently only maintain one individual and would like to hibernate it. Right now it resides in my Lab witch could be a problem. Normal temps in my lab when I first get there are in the 50’s this time of year but after turning the thermostat up when I begin working by the end of the day temp are up to the mid 70’s-80F When ever I observe the individual it almost seems like bringing it out of hibernation every single day and I am not sure if that’s good. I do not have any area in the lab were I can locate the individual were the relative temps will be lower. I suppose maybe locating the enclosure near the large door “not weather tight” might keep the temps down a little but I doubt enough to keep it sleeping. Also I love the heat and just could not work reliably without the heater on there LOLJ Even if I turn the heater off the lighting system will keep the room temps up. Locating the enclosure outside in out of the question as well as I can not guarantee security from either people or predators. Anyway and suggestions you can give are greatly appreciated.
My reptile collection and research

well, is there a particular reason that you are trying to get your pit to hibernate? you won't be doing harm to it if you keep at normal thermoregulatory gradient throughout the winter and maintain a somewhat normal feeding pattern. it sounds like circumstances put you in a bit of a jam, if hibernation is not a necessity, i would try to maintain the snake as you normally would, maybe provide a heat supplement during the night if you feel it gets too cold.
dave

you could also just put him on the floor in a dark corner of the room, beside an outside wall preferably and cover the cage loosely w/ newspaper. that'll suffice and just check in on him periodically. he'd probably finish out the winter there nicely if you let him. good luck.....

Yes I have put myself in a jam. We use to maintain all our snakes at home but recently decided with the arrival of my son that the snakes would be moved to the lab. I am the only one that works in the lab for now and I do not leave things on when I leave. Maybe I could set up a heating pad in the lab but rather than leaving something on 24/7 when sometimes I may not be there for a few days at a time I would rather let it hibernate like it would normally do in the wild. The only problem like I mentioned is when I am there its at least 75-80F and it brings the snake around every time. I suppose I could try locating the enclosure near the large unsealed door to try to keep it cooler. I am also devising a rack system right by the aforementioned door so maybe it will be beneficial to locate the individual inside that rack system.
My reptile collection and research

if you measure the temp on the floor, you'll find it to be considerably lower than the ambient room temp and may be useful to you. also, you don't want to place him where there's a draft!! good luck.......

The enclosure the particular individual is in is all glass with a screen top. Is a draft as big of a problem with an enclosure such as this?
My reptile collection and research

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