When to feed after hibernating

[JackTar]

I just bought an adult Diamond and it was hibernating in an outdoor aviary type enclosure. I now have him in a heated indoor enclosure but was just wondering how long I would need to keep him heated before I give him his first feed, he has become quite active since going under heat.

Thanks for any help.

Anyone?

 

[Bluetongue1]

The usual practice with a brumating reptile is to gradually increase the amount of heating provided each day until you are back to the normal 24/7 heating routine. Many would do this over a two week period to mimic nature. Other keepers simply turn off the night time heat come winter and switch it on again come spring.

Once you are back to the normal heating routine you can offer food. The snake will decide if it is ready to eat or not.

FYI
The term “hibernation” is not actually correct when applied to reptiles, as the slowing down of the body’s metabolism and the drop in body temperature is controlled by ambient temperature. On a warm day in winter many reptiles will come out and bask and can even be active. In true hibernation this does not occur as the drop in body temperature and body metabolism is controlled from within and does not respond to short-term fluctuations in ambient temperature. The correct term to use with reptiles is “brumation”.

Blue

 

[LizardLady]

FYI
The term “hibernation” is not actually correct when applied to reptiles, as the slowing down of the body’s metabolism and the drop in body temperature is controlled by ambient temperature. On a warm day in winter many reptiles will come out and bask and can even be active. In true hibernation this does not occur as the drop in body temperature and body metabolism is controlled from within and does not respond to short-term fluctuations in ambient temperature. The correct term to use with reptiles is “brumation”.

Blue

Ah, thank you Blue! I get the strangest of looks sometimes when I say my animals are "brumating" (as opposed to "hibernating") - almost the same as "necropsy" over "autopsy"...

Thank you!

Best,
Carolyn

 

[dickyknee]

Jack ,
No harm in offering a feed now , he will either be ready to eat or not ... if not try again in a week or so , but some diamonds will take a while to get back to eating.

 

[JackTar]

Thanhks for the info guys, tried to feed him wasn't interested, will have another crack in a week. I also think he may be close to shedding so might wait til after that anyway. Gets very expensive when snakes keep knocking back food and the three I have take different sizes so I can't just give it to another one.

 

[Cockney_Red]

Give him a month or two and let his brumation cycle finish