Yep another noob to the world of snakes

[Diamond_trouser]

Greetings All
I'm the proud owner of a (male, I think) Diamond python named "trouser" . he is my first snake, so I'm new to everything and am picking things up as i go. I chose a diamond as the enviroment and weather patterns in South Australia seem to be similar to Over sydney'ish way and had heard they were a good first snake. I've had my snake for about 6months now and he is around 12 months old. However recently since the cold has started to hit here his behaviour seems to being changing a bit . He isnt as fiesty when it comes to dinner time and shows no signs of shedding, He is striking but isnt as excited over the feed. sometimes i have to leave the mouse on his rock in his tank. He usually is taken out of his tank and fed in a seperated click clack . But I'm more concerned with his lack of shedding and more recently he stays on his branch or under his rock (heated end of the tank) and only leaves to have a crap, It kind of seems like he's in going into hibernation. Anyway the things im really wanting to know as they're seem to be different opinions is : Do i need to give him a hibernation cycle and not feed him for a while? and any thoughts on his temp's and timings in the tank, Currently he is getting 30 degrees heated end, 20 at the cooler end and 26 ambient. He has a UV, heating lamp and a heat mat which I havent been using . does this seem about right? and whats good as far as timings for his lights?
I would appreciate any insights from anyone, I'm kind of feeling like a concerned parent worrying about every detail of my snake and setup

[thomasssss]

his probably slowing down because its starting to come into winter and thats what snakes do , as for the shedding its a little hard to tell if theres something wrong without knowing when he last shed so that info would help , if its only been a few weeks or a month then i wouldn't really worry his probably just getting bigger so his sheds will be further apart

and welcome to the forum and enjoy the antics

[smithson]

welcome to the faily on aps hope you like it here as we all do

[Goth-Girl]

Welcome to AP&S..It's a great place to be. I don't know much about Diamonds but I know reptiles don't hibernate they brumate. Check this out. I am also a Newbie.
Reptilian Brumation

[Jason.s]

Gday mate, don't worry they slow down for the winter thats why there such good pets it gives you a break from feeding them lol.

So you own a trouser snake

[damian83]

Welcome mate

[Chris1]

i cut my diamonds heat back to 4-6 hours a day over winter at 32C, and have windows open to get their nights as cold as possible.
(i stop offering food at this stage)

its very important to not overheat diamonds and make sure they have their winter cooling to avoid DPS. (diamond python syndrome)

unless he looks skinny, dont stress over him not eating, he will eat when hes ready.

[NTNed]

Hi and welcome mate,

Im so jealous of you Diamond owners, they've always been my favorite as a young fella growing up in Central NSW. I'd have to keep one in th efridge up here though....lol.

Ned