Is it just me?

**EL Ziggy** · 02-06-14, 08:56 AM

All 3 of my snakes (Cal King, MBK & Albino Bull) seem to be less active lately. Most of the time they're all tucked away in their hides. My MBK hasn't been out roaming in 2-3 weeks. I've only had my bull snake for 3 weeks but I read that they're normally very active, especially during the day. I guess she could still be getting settled in but I almost never see her out and about. All have UTH's controlled with t-stats. Cool sides in the low 70's for all three. Warm sides at 88 for the kings and 86 for the bull. Is it because of the colder weather? They're all still eating well, just not moving around their tanks very much.

sharthun · 02-06-14, 09:25 AM

Mine are basically doing the same. Although mine will spend time under their rhp's on top of their hides.

Starbuck · 02-06-14, 10:16 AM

My king hasn't eaten in 3 weeks and wouldn't come out of her substrate at all until we had a warm snap this week. I bet it's the weather.

**EL Ziggy** · 02-06-14, 10:52 AM

Thanks y'all. Since they're a little less active I don't use their activity as much to determine when I feed them and instead have been sticking to a 6 day feeding schedule. Is it true that once they poop the digestive cycle is complete and they're ready to eat again? I ask because my bull snake seems to have a faster metabolism than my kings. She will often poop 2-3 days after eating and her feeding bulge will be completely gone. She usually eats 2-3 mice hoppers at a time. My kings are eating 1-2 small mice per feeding and poop about 4-5 days after they eat. Should I be feeding my bull more often? I don't think she's ready for larger prey just yet.

kwhitlock · 02-06-14, 12:43 PM

I've noticed both of mine have slowed down with the digestive cycle..

Activity wise, well. I haven't had mine long enough to notice, but. I've read that rainbow boas are the corn snake of the boa world..how much truth there is to that, I don't know. But, mine so far, is a couch potato. Lol I think he moves possibly, a foot and then curls back into a ball. I might have a new ball python morph, called the rainbow boa morph

Starbuck · 02-06-14, 02:42 PM

i owuldnt feed more often, especially if they are trying to tell you 'slow down' by hiding more and being less active. Ive been feeding mine every 10-12 days (though the meals are fairly large) this time of year, and temps are low 80s to 70s

Will0W783 · 02-07-14, 08:18 AM

Snakes naturally become less active in the winter months, especially colubrids that are native to the US. It's nothing to worry about. I keep mainly Indonesian and African viperids at this time, but even they all eat less during the winter months and hide more. Snakes can sense the time of year even when kept at controlled temperatures in captivity- light from a window, barometric pressure changes, etc will trigger seasonal changes in the animals.

Terranaut · 02-07-14, 08:23 AM

All of my snakes "chill" a bit over the winter months. My colubrids stay in their hides most of the day. My pythons take a food break and my boa darkens up and sits in the same spot for hours at a time.
Normal.

TheFrogman · 02-07-14, 08:26 AM

All mine are sleeping all the time, I contribute it to colder that normal weather, mine are all eating but taking a lot of coaxing, well except my Brooks, shes a mad women with food.

CK SandBoas · 02-07-14, 08:31 AM

All my males are currently off food, as they normally are during the winter months, though my Ball Python went off feed later than usual. Females are still eating well, and having at it with their particular mates

**EL Ziggy** · 02-07-14, 08:36 AM

You are all GREAT! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. I really appreciate it.

drumcrush · 02-07-14, 07:50 PM

I would say something but everyone said it all lol

**EL Ziggy** · 02-07-14, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumcrush

I would say something but everyone said it all lol

Good to see you DC. I always appreciate your input.