Rosy question...dunno if it goes here

[Alicewave]

My male, 2+ year old, San Matias Rosy just ate after a 5 month fast that began in Mid-June. If he had not eaten this time around my plan was to Brumate him to get him to eat again since as far as the vets and any other experts could tell he was healthy other than no eating. But now that he is eating again, I'm unsure whether or not to proceed with the Brumation period. anyone have advice for me?

[reverendsterlin]

my guess is the question is whether or not the animal's weight is good. You can always feed till mid-December and start brumation in early January, and still warm back up begining March. If the animal's weight is low keep temps up and feed back to the correct weight.

[Alicewave]

His weight is pretty good. When I got him he weighed 162 and he was 2 years old then. Two months into the fast he was 192...she he gained a lot of weight before he fasted. I think now he's around 168. That's a good plan though. Thanks for the advice.

[BWSmith]

Sometimes, they just decide to go off feed. I had that happen with rosys in the past. Dont feel bad, I had an anaconda go off feed for 13 months with no noticable weight loss!

[Katt]

Rosies appear to be a species that "need" brumation, some hatchling such as mexicans appear to need to be brumated before they will eat. I say, brumate your snake as it appears it's brumating itself, give it a few months, then warm it back up.

[Linds]

Are you planning on breeding him? If you aren't planning on breeding him, and he's begun to eat on his own, I would have to agree with rev and say keep him at the optimum temps and keep him on a regular feeding schedule. Rosies do not require brumation unless you plan on breeding them or need to induce feeding behaviour, especially in neonates, which can be tough to start....

[Alicewave]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to feed him until January and then Brumate to reset his clock. From what I know about rosies, if they've always been brumated they usually need to brumate regardless of whether or not they will be bred. I got him when he was two and my suspicion is that he was brumated in the past, so I think it's inevitable at this point. I do want to get him well fed before I do it though.