Feeding Frustration - Help?

[TJ_Burton]

Should I just go ahead and turn off his heat pad?

I know males go off food- and it's reassuring that all your males have done the same- it was just worrisome because he hasn't eaten for me since I purchased him. Which I guess was just so close to when they would start refusing food anyway...

If you are going to brumate, you need to get the temps down to a stable 54.F/55.F and no lower or higher. Unplugging the heat pad is likely not going to do this effectively. Keep in mind that if temps are cool, but not low enough for the snake to go into its hibernation state, you are risking giving him conditions that can lead to severe RI or like infections; if the temps get too close to freezing it can cause irreparable nervous system damage or death.

Sounds risky, but its really simple. Get a wine cooler with a thermostat and set it for 54.F and use a thermometer to cross reference the actual temps.

[kiwitwist]

Would a mini-fridge with adjustable temp work? Do they still need air flow? I raised axolotls from eggs that way once, keeping them at about 60. Doesn't have a thermostat, I just used a fridge thermometer I've never owned a wine cooler.. I'm not sure if I should brumate or not. I think my female is big enough to breed, and would need to be brumated as well, I'm just not sure if I am ready for that yet. Do you have to slowly adjust the temps down to 54/55? Or can they go straight in there and be okay? (Can they be shocked by the cold?)

[TJ_Burton]

Would a mini-fridge with adjustable temp work? Do they still need air flow? I raised axolotls from eggs that way once, keeping them at about 60. Doesn't have a thermostat, I just used a fridge thermometer I've never owned a wine cooler.. I'm not sure if I should brumate or not. I think my female is big enough to breed, and would need to be brumated as well, I'm just not sure if I am ready for that yet. Do you have to slowly adjust the temps down to 54/55? Or can they go straight in there and be okay? (Can they be shocked by the cold?)

I turn off their heat pads for 24hrs, and then move them into the wine cooler. When I bring them out, they get 24hrs with no heat, and then I plug the heat back in for them. Haven't had any issues to speak of with this method.