>>The second one is of the same locality (Altai Mnts, Kazachstan)as the one of 14.08 grams, and her total weight was 35.60 grams and is now 32.48 grams.
>>
>>The one that has shed is a Chinese Yellow, and he weight 63.95 grams and now weighs 59.98gram.
>>
>>And my E.mandarina had a weightloss of 2.32 grams and now weighs 131.68 grams
>>
>>To lower the weight loss, I should get the animals much colder right?

Personally, I would not brumate (hibernate) a neonate, and any weight loss in such a young snake is not good. I would warm the neonates back up, and keep warm and feeding through the winter.

For the adults, yes, it sounds like you need cooler temps. I live in south Texas, which is fairly sub-tropical in climate - and I keep some Elaphe dione, as well. The natural temperatures here, during winter, do not even come close to cold enough for E. dione, so I have resorted to keeping them in a refrigerator, during winter cooling. I keep it set on the warmest setting, and I have a strip of heat tape running down the inside back wall. This keeps temps between 45 - 55 degrees Fahrenheit. I open the door, for a few minutes, each day, for air exchange. I have done this for three years, and they have come through just fine, with very little to insignificant weight loss.

If I had animals losing a large amount of weight, I would probably warm them back up - feed them a couple meals, and repeat the cool-down procedure with cooler temperatures.


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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

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