Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Posted this before but didn't get any response so I thought I'd try again.

I'm hoping to put my concinnus and infernalis down for the winter to prep them for breeding this spring. In the past I haven't been able to do this b'cos my apartment stays very warm in the winter, but my sister in law has offered to let me keep them in her attic, which gets fairly cold. I'm just really nervous about the whole process, having never done it before. I'm having an ulcer thinking about them freezing to death or starving b'cos they are still awake but not being fed.

Being western ssp I don't know how cold tolerant they are compared to the easterns I find in NJ(which endure bitter cold winters).

Anyone have any thoughts/advice??

I'd sure appreciate it.

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"Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it."

Sorry disregard. This may be the least of my worries.
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"Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it."

Why is it the least of your worries? Are you ok? Did something happen to one of your snakes? Hope everythings ok.

Thanks for the concern. A few indicators make me think I may have an outbreak of crypto on my hands (not good). I'm hoping for the best though. Thanks again.
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"Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it."

I dont know what that is but it doesnt sound very good, I hope the best for you though. I hope it all gets fixed and you can be back in good health in no time.

Hey, I hibernated my easterns last year in the basement, where it is around 60 degrees. I fed them once a month, just in case.

They did fine.

Also, re: using the attic... can you get one of those "mini-maxi" thermometers? These thermometers mark the "high" and the "low" each time you reset them, so that you can see the temperature variations and make sure the temps are not going above or below your desired range.

Re: the crypto... seperate all of your snakes by a good two to three feet between cages, and put a supply of surgeons exam gloves by each cage. For about one month, handle NOTHING with bare hands... and remember to only touch the inside of the glove when you remove it from your hand (use the other glove to remove it) and discard.

Meanwhile, disinfect cages, water dishes, forceps, and everything that touches the snake, the snake's food, etc, should be disinfected. For disinfectant, go to www.revivalanimal.com and purchase A33 in the disolvable packets. This disinfectant is relatively harmless once dried, but has some quaternary activity that helps kill the tough organizims.

Do this for one month, and any snake not sick within that time period will probably be clear of crypto.

Forgot to say... you change gloves between EACH snake, every time you handle ANYTHING.

Thanks. I'm going to pick another digital min/max thermometer from home depot and some more latex gloves. Still waiting on the lab results but I'm treating it like it's crypto just in case.

Thanks again.
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"Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it."