rosy boa doesnt eat

Question
I was given a rosy boa a few years ago that I believe may have been wild caught.  She (he?) eats well in the summer, but fall and winter refuses to eat.  I have tried to warm up the tank and give good lighting.  How long can she go without eating?  

Answer
Hi Kim
All that you wrote regarding your rosy boa is NORMAL :-)  He (or she) is preparing for winter hibernation. I have two Rosy's myself and I brumate (hibernate) them every winter from Nov 1st - Feb 1st. That entails putting them in my cold closet (not below 50 degrees) with NO heat source whatsoever. They do not eat at all for that entire 3 month period. BUT you do need to supply fresh water twice a week. Only put it in there for the day and then take it out.  Doing this will also save on having to buy mice.  It also is necessary in breeding them come spring.  If you do not plan on breeding (which I assume you don't) then you don't have to brumate although you still can.  If you don't brumate then don't worry about him not wanting to eat.  It is normal. You can try feeding every 2-4 weeks and if he eats he eats and if he doesn't don't worry. You can still leave the heat source on also. Hope this helps and thanks for writing.