Kingsnake.com - Herpforum - RE: Bummer, man

Posted by: DMong at Thu Jan 5 11:18:12 2012 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by DMong ]

Yeah, that is too bad. That was one gorgeous bright orange thayeri you posted.

I would have also brumated those two when they still had some half-decent body weight. It doesn't necessarily have to be for several months either like it would be in naturem but just enough duration to trigger a change in their behavior. This can be achieved by artificial means with A/C units or wine coolers if needed when natural prolonged colder conditions are not available where you live. If the snakes absolutely WILL NOT feed no matter what is done, keeping them in a warmer environment only keeps their metabolism raised and uses up their precious body reserves that would have otherwise been slowed and conserved if they were cooled.

Many montaine and/or more northern forms of snakes such as the mexicana complex, zonata, ruthveni, certain northern getula, and many other types of snakes are very noted for having a natural predisposition for not feeding until after they are brumated. Then when they are warmed up in the spring go onto feed readily. This is probably a natural "safeguard" for making sure they are not caught by surprise with major cold snaps coming through early in the season just prior to them feeding that would cause the prey to rot in their gut and jeopardize their health and well-being.

cheers, ~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

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