Reptile & Amphibian Forums

All of my 2007 Mtn. Kings have been in brumation for two months except for three. Two L. pyro. and one L. z. agalma started a feeding frenzy at the time I was going to cool them down so I've left them on heat. I'm wondering if I should brumate them too now until March with the others or if I should keep them on heat until next autumn. They are still eating. Thanks.
Carl

Well, if they have a history of brumation and are conditioned to stop eating as opposed to the biological clock going off, then why not slow down the food intake early on? Since having kept them on food, try slowing them down now (better late than never...), allow for a two week period to empty out, and gradually immerse them into the cooler. Depending on where you live, maybe keep them cool a little longer? But shoot for at least 8 weeks I'd say for a more optimal brumation process. Let us know what happens.

Jerry Kruse

These are 2007 CB hatchlings. I didn't cool them with the rest of the snakes as they were slow starters but became chowhounds in late November so I took advantage of the situation and pumped them up with lots of food. I assume baby snakes can skip brumation their first winter but am also concerned that if I do skip brumation that they might shut down in spring or summer.

Ohhh, now that's a little different. had I known that juicy tidbit o' information i would've responded differently, LOL. By all means keep them going if they've taken off, and i would not be overly concerned that they will shut down provided that temps are reasonably the same and drastic changes such as a different substrate, shipping/relocation, etc, don't come into play. Then onward and upward with the chowing down i'd say. I have several babies that I've cooled due to not eating anything other than baby lizards, but one I have kept warm as she had taken off eating in November as well (this is an alterna btw..). So no worries mate. Can we see a pic or two of 'em for the heck of it?

Jerry Kruse

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Hi Carl,

I would keep feeding him/her right through until next winter. Once they start feeding as babies, it's been my experience they usually will keep going until their second winter.
Juarez Wonders