My Eastern Garter

[Albert Clark]

3rd week of November now. Has he gone off-feed? No brumation? Correct me if I'm wrong but the species needs temperatures ~40 degrees Farenheit for a couple months a year. I don't think now is the best time to work on his handling, he wants to be left alone undisturbed for the next few months - that's my 1 gripe re temperate species. We used to keep them in a cold basement during Winter months and then bring them upstairs to warmer parts of the house during Summer months. Not trying to divert traffic away from here, but there is quite an active forum which deals solely with the species (called thamnophis forum).

Yep! For the most part you are correct but its not absolutely necessary to cool them really. Certainly if you are planning on breeding them then you should brumate. Garters can thrive without it and it sometimes means switching up the prey that you offer them should they go off feed.