Quote Originally Posted by ssssnakeluvr View Post
If you have no plans on breeding...a good month brumation should be good to stimulate appetite. I have garters that either aren't big enough for breeding or don't have a mate for them that go off feed in the fall. I put them down for a month and bring them up. with the temp you are keeping him at, I'd keep a good eye on him...thats a little warmer than I would brumate at. I have found garters out and about occasionally with temps here in the low 60s and upper 50s....not very often but they are definitely more cold tolerant than most snakes. I would brumate a little colder if possible and for a month. after the month, start warming him up. after about a week you can try feeding again and he should start eating. forget the grubs, garters don't eat insects. they eat worms, slugs, fish, amphibians, and rodents.
Sorry ssssnakeluvr, 50 is about as low as I've been able to get him. Since it's been about 6 weeks now (so far so good), is it the consensus of the group that I should start warming him up or should I wait until closer to spring? Will our short NW photoperiod mess him up if I don't have full-spectrum lighting? With it not being worm season here, if I do bring him up what's my best shot at getting him to eat?

Thanks again everyone!