i've gots a question???

[lovecraft]

Is It Absolutely Necessary To Put Corn Snakes Into Hibernation?Or Is Hibernation Only Needed If One Is Thinking About Breeding(i'm not trying to breed, i don't think 2 male snakes can be very successful at this...)?And If So...When Is The Best Time To Begin Hibernation? Now? I Live In Minnesota And It Is Fairly Chilly Here.I Think They Can Sense The Change In Weather Becuz They Burrow Underneath There Aspen Bedding And Will Stay There For Many Days, Usually All Week.They Don't Use There Hides Much Anymore Either.I Have Found Some Caresheets Describing The Process But Not Much About The Nessecity Outside Of Breeding...........Their Temps Are 77 Degrees With A Warmside At 84 Degrees And 50% Humidity,And Checking The Min Temp On My Digi-Therm Says 54 Degrees..So I Am Assuming Sometimes The Night Temps Have Gotten Low...... thankyou

[Shelby]

No.. there is no need for cooling (snakes don't hibernate, they brumate) unless you plan to breed your snakes.

Make sure your temperatures are in the correct range.. if they get cooler because your room temperatures go down, it can be unhealthy for them to eat, since it isn't warm enough for them to digest. Keep them at normal temps and feed as usual.

[lovecraft]

thanks for the response...yeah i'm trying to work with the room temps. i have no control over the heat really,old building, hot water radiators,thermostat is in a different apt....space heaters work ok ......love your royal python pics in deviant art

[Shelby]

Yeah, you can try red bulb heat lamps if you need to.. also insulating the tank with something to keep the heat in may help.

And thanks for looking at my art.

[MPenn]

Even though you may not be breeding them, it may prolong their life to give them the winter break. If you have already feed them, give them two weeks to make sure all remaining food is out of the gut. If your temps in the house are running at what you have said, then they should be fine.

I would only do this if they were in good shape and size already.