Quote Originally Posted by Peterra View Post
Another interesting read is the article linked below, what I got from it was the importance of hydration during brumation.


Effects of humidity, temperature, and submergence behavior on survivorship and energy use in hibernating garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis

Desiccation is likely an important factor influencing winter mortality rates of terrestrially hibernating reptiles; however, this notion has not been rigorously tested. Groups of eastern garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) were matched for size and subsequently exposed to simulated hibernative conditions (5 or 12 °C, under different humidity regimes) during winter, for 165 days or until all group members expired. As garter snakes in some dens submerge during natural hibernation, an additional group was maintained in water at 5 °C. Snakes kept in air dehydrated and died (body water contents at death ranged from 62.1 to 67.8% of lean fresh mass), whereas snakes kept in water remained hydrated (median, 75.2%) and survived. Survival duration of air hibernators was inversely related to rate of mass loss, which in turn was strongly influenced by ambient humidity and temperature. Dehydration accounted for most of the mass lost in all air hibernators; however, owing to higher rates of nutrient consumption, mass loss was significantly greater in snakes kept at 12 °C (36%) than in snakes kept at 5 °C (29%). Changes in fat body and liver masses showed that snakes kept in air at 12 °C used the most energy whereas those kept in water at 5 °C used the least. Submerged hibernation behavior has significant survival value because under these conditions snakes remain hydrated during winter. Also, because submerged snakes conserve more stored energy during winter, their reproductive success may be enhanced when mating activities resume in early spring

https://www.units.miamioh.edu/cryola...88_CanJZoo.PDF
This is how people brumate their garters. Theyll give them a dry substrate and a water bowl and throw them in a fridge. Many find their garter snake living in the water bowl.