Question about snake brumination

[UralOwl]

Hi,
My year old speckled king snake has recently been refusing food for the past 2 weeks or so. He's never once refused a mouse prior to this, he's usually quite a greedy eater. I've tried braining the mouse and the deli-cup method, but he still isn't interested. He's still as active as he always has been, though I am wondering if he is preparing for brumination? I've heard that many king snakes stop eating around this time of year because of this.

I was wondering if I should turn off the heat mat completely, or lower the temperature down to certain degrees?

 

[pitbulllady]

Hi,
My year old speckled king snake has recently been refusing food for the past 2 weeks or so. He's never once refused a mouse prior to this, he's usually quite a greedy eater. I've tried braining the mouse and the deli-cup method, but he still isn't interested. He's still as active as he always has been, though I am wondering if he is preparing for brumination? I've heard that many king snakes stop eating around this time of year because of this.

I was wondering if I should turn off the heat mat completely, or lower the temperature down to certain degrees?

It does sound like he's preparing for brumation, and it's normal for snakes native to temperate regions to stop feeding this time of year. I'd offer him a meal maybe a week from now, but if he refuses it, go ahead and turn off the heat mat, provide him with a good hide and let him do what's normal for him. My native snakes are all brumating right now, with the exception of three of my Water Snakes. My big female Red-Belly just will not stop feeding; she loves to eat too much, lol. I have two others that came to me in rather thin condition so I'm trying to keep them eating and putting on weight.

pitbulllady

 

[The Snark]

Nice and concise.

((Add. It was brought to my attention my above comment could be taken in a negative vein. I assure all that is not the case. Someone needed info and AB's darling PBL provided admirably. If I lower myself to ridicule or critique PBLs long windedness in her diatribes ala Clavell's Shogun, I'll give some sort of hint along the way. We do need a cringe smiley, you know?))

 

[Najakeeper]

It is though to arrange the temperatures in my snake room this time of the year.

Water cobras need around 25-30 degrees year round, baby and yearling Death Adders need about that as well.

Adult Death Adders need to be kept at around 15-20 degrees until spring for breeding.

Gila Monsters need to be kept around 10-15 degrees for brumation.

Of course, I could have kept everyone warm and eating if I wanted but Death Adders will probably not breed and Gilas will get fat. I think it is good to take the natural way so to speak. So I moved Gilas into my small bathroom and left the window open there. You guys can be sure my wife is thrilled about this arrangement . I have turned off the lights for the adult Death Adders and the rest is business as usual.

My strategy for brumation is that I do not cool anyone in their first year of life as it is possible for some animals to die in their first brumation expecially if they don't have enough fat reserves. But after 18-24 months, I provide what nature would have provided to them and it has always worked out fine.

 

[UralOwl]

It does sound like he's preparing for brumation, and it's normal for snakes native to temperate regions to stop feeding this time of year. I'd offer him a meal maybe a week from now, but if he refuses it, go ahead and turn off the heat mat, provide him with a good hide and let him do what's normal for him. My native snakes are all brumating right now, with the exception of three of my Water Snakes. My big female Red-Belly just will not stop feeding; she loves to eat too much, lol. I have two others that came to me in rather thin condition so I'm trying to keep them eating and putting on weight.

pitbulllady

Alright, will do, thanks for the advice.
It last shed about a month ago and seems a bit too active to be in pre-shed, which is why I assumed it might be brumation.
It's fairly warm in my house though (about 21-22c room temp), so hopefully these temperatures are low enough for brumation...?

 

[pitbulllady]

Alright, will do, thanks for the advice.
It last shed about a month ago and seems a bit too active to be in pre-shed, which is why I assumed it might be brumation.
It's fairly warm in my house though (about 21-22c room temp), so hopefully these temperatures are low enough for brumation...?

That might be a bit warm, since that's about the average temps at which most temperate snakes are active during their breeding season, since most are nocturnal. If you have a room, such as a storage room, that does not get as warm, you might want to move him in there, otherwise he could lose too much weight during his fasting. The cooler he is, the less fat and tissue he'll burn up while not eating, providing he's not exposed to freezing temps, of course. Another thing that is advisable is putting him in a dark place, since light also controls the depth and duration of brumation, and indeed, many species of snakes won't breed(I assume that you're not planning on breeding him, though)unless kept in the dark along with being cooled down.

pitbulllady

 

[UralOwl]

That might be a bit warm, since that's about the average temps at which most temperate snakes are active during their breeding season, since most are nocturnal. If you have a room, such as a storage room, that does not get as warm, you might want to move him in there, otherwise he could lose too much weight during his fasting. The cooler he is, the less fat and tissue he'll burn up while not eating, providing he's not exposed to freezing temps, of course. Another thing that is advisable is putting him in a dark place, since light also controls the depth and duration of brumation, and indeed, many species of snakes won't breed(I assume that you're not planning on breeding him, though)unless kept in the dark along with being cooled down.

pitbulllady

The coldest room in my house is usually at around 17-18c, so I'm not sure if those temperatures are cool enough.
Also, I wanted to ask one more question: When should I start offering food again if he does go into brumation?