Proper Temp for hibernation?

[dannyc]

I'm not going to do it this year but was checking the basement rooms for temperature. What is the best temperature to hibernate (bromate sp) a corn snake. I know there is another term, bromate but not sure if I'm spelling it correctly. Maybe someone can explain the difference between hibernate and bromate.

Thanks,
Danny

[beanersmysav]

According to the corn snake manual (I believe I could be wrong since I don't have it on hand I'll correct myself later) it says to brumate at about 65 degrees f.

Of coure make sure you haven't fed them, and make sure their systems are all cleaned out of feces, and prey before brumating or this could cause some SERIOUS problems.

[dannyc]

Thanks I was searching and found one site that said between 50 and 59.
http://www.practical-pet-care.com/snake_question.php?ID=2.2005011218100486

Would this be closer than 65? Im talking about Fahrenheit in all my temps

[Stockwell]

55F is ideal. 65 is too warm, and can cause colds. It's not cold enough to shut the animals down but warm enough to promote illness.
Get them under 60 and above 50 and you'll be fine.

[beanersmysav]

This is the exact quote from the corn manual by Bill and Kathy Love...


"We aim for a cool season in the 45-65 degree range for about 60-75 days,but it's not a factor that must be critically monitored or controlled. Corns can handle "hibernation" periods of three months easily and safely; some herpetoculturists recommend a longer rest, for both the snakes and themselves. Our room regularly rises into the upper 70's, and even into the mid 80's during occasional afternoons on the coldest months of January-February with no preceivable ill effects on our colony. When that happens, after al, it's even warmer outside where native corns live and breed in the woods near our home. Conversely, the termometer also dips into the upper 30's on a few nights most winter, with no detrimental effects from such lows either."

This of course goes on and on I HIGHLY reccomend the purchase of the manual if you breed or even own Corn snakes. Great, quick read, you won't be sorry and it will tell you more than this forum ever could :) That is just a push in the right direction ^ with that info until I can talk you into spending the $7.00-$8.00 on the book that will make yours and your corn snakes life much easier..

[Nicky]

BEANERSMYSAV:
ya thats what threw me off when I attempt to hibernate my corns this year. I followed the cornsnake manual word for word but was told it was to warm. I I didn't want to risk my corns so I slowly pulled them out of this period. I do agree with what was said though 55 does make sense but maybe the book has a typo? I also remember reading in thier that male corns get bigger than females? which I also though was the other way around.
I hold Kathy love in great respect, but I was just curious if anyone else had any thoughts or comments on what her book recomends.
Cheers
Kayla

[beanersmysav]

It doesn't reccomend those temps it says it raises to those effects on some days with no ill effects. I'm sure there was a typo or two but I'm sorry you can't knock someones breeding who successfully breeds a ton of morphs and was held in high enough regards to write the most popular corn snake manual to date. Sure people may not agree with some things but no two husbandry practices are the same. When I brumate mine they will be kept on the basement floor which is a steady 55 degrees no matter the time of year, I've been monitoring it with the temp gun for a long time now.