Hibernation

[bidmark]

Hi I am a fairly new snake owner and so I am really just learning how to care for them. As we are heading to winter I just wanted to know do we hibernate our snakes and if so how long for? I have a diamond python and a Simpson python.

[Icarus]

Hi!
I have a 2 and a half year old diamond, and so to cool her for winter I start by decreasing her heat. In spring, summer and some of autumn I have her heat on a 12 hour on/off cycle. Around the end of april / beginning of may i start to have her heat on less and less (on for 10 hours a day for 2 weeks, then 8 hours for 2 weeks, then 6 hours for 2 weeks) til eventually by around the end of May she only has heat on for four hours, usually from 7am until 11am. I usually give the last feed in the week before i start to drop her heat below 10 hours and don't feed again until i increase her heat time again in August.
Personally, I am not cooling my antaresia's this year but i imagine you would use the same pattern.
I hope that helps but keep in mind I am just one person and i'm sure plenty of people have other ways of doing it or suggestions

[mysnakesau]

Hi I am a fairly new snake owner and so I am really just learning how to care for them. As we are heading to winter I just wanted to know do we hibernate our snakes and if so how long for? I have a diamond python and a Simpson python.

STIMSON, not SIMPSON

[black_headed_mon]

wonder if it's called homer......................doh!!!

[saximus]

STIMSON, not SIMPSON

Also brumate, not hibernate

The Stimmy doesn't need to be cooled unless you plan to breed with it but the Diamond should to prevent potential DPS. Where do you live? The Diamond could probably go with no heat at all if it isn't located somewhere that drops to really low temps.

[Bluetongue1]

While there are no hard and fast rules, there are a couple of simple guidelines I would advise you follow... Never brumate a juvenile in its first year or an animal that is NOT well.

Animals that you intend to breed (assuming they are sexually mature and in appropriate condition) should be brumated. This considerably increases the likelihood of producing viable eggs and sperm. There are some exceptions but they are definitely in the minority.

Some animals are aware of the changing seasons even when heating is maintained and will stop eating over the winter period. Members of the Antaresia group in particular, such as your stimmie, are well known for doing this.

Blue

PS: Icarus, an excellent post. Just the sort of info beginners really need. Well done!

[Icarus]

bluetongue1 - thankyou! your appreciation really made my day. it's nice to know i can give back to a community that has helped me heaps

[Bluetongue1]

Icarus, simply a case of credit where credit is due. I am pleased it had the additional effects.


Bidmark,
The term now used to describe ‘hibernation’ in reptiles is “brumation”. True hibernation is controlled internally in response to seasonal changes and is not influenced by short-term fluctuations in temperature. Whereas reptiles are essentially responding to an external drop in temperature, altering their ability to function, and will often come out and bask in warm weather during the winter.

DPS refers to Diamond Python Syndrome, a disorder that occurs in this species when kept continually at warm temperatures. If you have not already done so you should definitely read up on it.

Blue

[mysnakesau]

Icarus, simply a case of credit where credit is due. I am pleased it had the additional effects.


Bidmark,[FONT=verdana]..... True hibernation is controlled internally in response to seasonal changes and is not influenced by short-term fluctuations in temperature. ......

You get to spend all summer eating and getting fat so you can sleep it off over winter. What a life.

[bidmark]

Thank you so much for explaining all this to me I really appreciate it.