hibernation questions:never done it before

[SnakeCharmr728]

I have had my oldest for 7 yrs and Ive never truely hibernated him, hes always been cooled down with the natural temp drop of our house, and he'll be more sleepy and not eat as much but never hibernated... I would like to hibernate my adults this year.... Im in california so it never gets too cold here so how do I go about hibernating them, can anyone point me towards or give me step by step instructions with detail. Im a total newbie when it comes to hibernating and don't know where to start! :huh::huh::huh::huh:

 

[james.w]

If they feel the need or want to hibernate, they will do it on their own.

 

[SnakeCharmr728]

So your saying just leave the temps the same and let them do their own thing? I thought that if they start to hibernate themselves you should lower the temps and do it properly??? Am I wrong? Could someone please let me know around what time most people hibernate their gu's and what temps?

 

[james.w]

If they do burrow down, you can shut off all lights/heat sources in the enclosure and let them be. Continue to offer fresh water in case they come out for a drink. I would leave everything on as usual until I didn't see them for at least two weeks, then everything was shut off.

 

[SnakeCharmr728]

okay, good to know. so I dont have to put them in really cool temperatures? someone told me that they hibernate theirs in cooler chests in the garage so they stayed cold. i thought that was a bit cruel!

 

[james.w]

No you don't HAVE to do anything. I'm sure gradually lowering your temps over a few weeks might persuade them to go down.