Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there,

I was wondering if snakes still grew while in brumation?

Thanks,

Brumation is a dormancy period for reptiles that is similar to hibernation. It's different from hibernation in the metabolic processes involved. They can go months without food, but still need to have access to water. I'm talking access to water for snakes being kept above ground....outdoors the snakes are getting moisture from the ground.

With their food intake stopped, I would say no, they aren't growing, if anything they would be burning fat which keeps them going during the winter months. Since they need heat to be able to digest food they are pretty much just dormant. That's my take on it....hope it helps.

Visit these sites to help you understand more....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dormancy

http://lllreptile.com/info/library/care-and-husbandry-articles/-/reptilian-brumation/

There is no such thing as hibernation in snakes, or brumation. Snakes seek the activities the environment supports. In winter, they are active underground. Which means, they do stuff, they are not sleeping.

In places where the surface is too cold, they must find suitable temps. Most snakes, use low temps as a base, that is live at temps from the 40'sF to 65F, then seek higher temps for particular needs.

This last year, I have observed wild hogs, active every month of the year. I found a neonate that has just consumed a lizard, on 12-31-12. Where they occur, is the coldest area around. Its a high bowl that catches mountain run off(cold air drops) So its plenty cold and nights can reach the single digits.(nearby in Rodeo, they recorded 4 to 8F)

At their lower body temps, they conserve energy, but still burn some. They also conserve water. They do that by finding areas that do not dehydrate them.(50 to 60%) Which is important to understand in captivity. Its more about not dehydrating them, then hydrating them.

Reptiles tend to reproduce or start that process in the colder months because they can conserve energy. In the hotter months, they burn up to much energy. Colubrid snakes normally reproduce when their are cool nights, keep the mass temps down to conserve energy and warm days, to achieve the ability to increase metabolism as needed. That is normal. Reproduction is ceased when its hot and its time to feed(the foraging season.)

The term brumate and/or hibernate is are captive terms and that is fine, as long as its applied right.

And yes, they can use stored energy to grow a little. They can grow in length, but not in weight. Best wishes