Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just putted my 2 coachwhips in seperate boxes in my fridge.
I'm used to put some water with hibernating snakes, but I really don't know if they need it or not. I want to keep the substrate dry, so spraying is not an option.

Anybody?

Gilian

in your fridge? Or do you have a seperate brumation fridge that doesn't cool as low as a normal fridge? I personaly use a wine cooler as it keeps more suitable temps for NA colubrids. I have never noticed much water being consumed but I still feel it neccesary. Eventually I want to try brumating with an ac unit pumped dirrectly into my enclosures and have a small Basking area still available and observe if they still use it. While at this time I don't keep whips i have brumated numerous other na snakes.
Nate

Yeah!!...I would always include a water bowl Gillian,even if it is a small one.I'm sure de-hydration can be the number 1 killer of brumating reptiles!!
Mine are in a brick out-house at my mum's place...just installed a little heater as temps. have started to plummit here in England!...I guess Holland is quite cool now as well?..I'm gonna try and hold 11oC as a nightime low and try to keep below 15oC during the day.

I must admit I was baffled by the fridge???...tell us about it Gillian?.

Paul

Hi paul,

Why are you so surprised about the fridge?
In a previous message you and Kevin said that you hibertated your Masticophis at 45 degrees F. (and Sighthunster at 55 degrees F) Well, I putted my fridge around this T.

Outside it's to cold allready and I thinks it's fluctuating to much. I tried to find some scientific literature about hibernation temperatures of Coachwhips or rattlesnakes, but didn't find any good articles yet.

regards

Gilian

I think 55 is the magic number for most snakes that require brumation. The temps of most NA snakes durring the winter can go as low as 0 degrees but in a subteranian atmosphere I doubt they get below freezing.Snakes experience alot more of harsh reality in nature than in captivity and I think 55 is the safest way to go. Just cool enough to slow the metabolism but not hitting the freezing to death point.
Just my .02
Nate