Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I cross posted this elsewhere, sorry if you read it more than once!

We have an adult rosy whom we've had for several months now. I haven't owned snakes before, but my husband has.. not a rosy though, so we are new to rosy care. I admit I didn't want to get a snake, I've never liked snakes or been around them at all, but DH really wanted it so we got one and I am in LOVE with this snake! He's soooo docile, even tolerates my 2 year old wanting to "pet" him.

My first question is, how do we move with our rosy? We're moving across the country in a few weeks and I want to do everything possible to make sure our rosy makes it with us. How do we do this? It's not really possible or practical to put the tank into the car. Could we use something like a styrofoam cooler? Put some substrate in it? Poke some holes in the top? We're going to be driving for at least 6 days, probably 7.

This kind of relates to my question about our rosy. He hasn't eaten since the first time he shed around July 4. He used to eat once a week or week and a half or so, but after he shed he kept killing the mice and not eating them, so we thought maybe we were overfeeding him and started offering about every two weeks. But he hasn't eaten for months now! Also, after the first shed, he kept going up to the top of the tank and sitting on the ledge. He never did that before. I have no idea if that is relevant but since it was a new behavior I thought Id' mention it.

Anyway, he shed again about a week ago, maybe 2 weeks. Since then, he's hardly moved. I've rarely seen him moving, and i look at the tank often since it's right next to the couch. I know he's still alive, because frequently he's in a different spot or different position, but it's like he's hibernating. I'm assuming that this is normal? If so, how long can we expect it to last, and is there anything special I should do? We used to take him out and let him hang out on us once a week or so, but we've just been leaving him alone since he's been 'hibernating'.
I'm just worried that he's gone so long w/out eating. 4 months already.

I don't know if it will work but if so, here's a pic of my son holding our lil rosy.

rosy males will sometimes go off food for up to six months this is natural as long as hes not droping too much weight i wouldnt worry to much, If your moving than go ahead and put him down for the winter a cooler would be fine just keep him dark and chilled as much as possible 55 t0 60 degrees is best this is why your snake has stopped activity alredy i hope this helps rmk out in san diego

The snake your son is holding looks very healthy. Guessing I would say your snake has hibernated on you. A pillow case with some crumpled up paper towels is the best way to transport. Put him in the pillow case and use a zip-tie to close it. You can then put the pillow case in a small Styrofoam cooler bring the snake to its new home. If the cage is warmed up past 80F the snake should come out of hibernation. I would wait until after February.......