I believe the Basilisk says it's been "so hungry... for so long...", which would suggest that it hasn't been eating anything, but has been enchantedly hibernating, as you suggest. I do think Salazar put it there, though it would be interesting if there really was no monster, no Chamber, until Tom read the myth and decided to make it real, to his own benefit.
I don't have it in my head exactly how long the Basilisk is awake before Harry kills it, but it isn't unusual for snakes to be able to go a very long time without eating. And the bigger the snake, the longer it can do so, as a general rule. My snake is only about three feet long, and though she eats every week or so, she could go much longer without undue harm.
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Date: 2004-11-06 11:37 am (UTC)I don't have it in my head exactly how long the Basilisk is awake before Harry kills it, but it isn't unusual for snakes to be able to go a very long time without eating. And the bigger the snake, the longer it can do so, as a general rule. My snake is only about three feet long, and though she eats every week or so, she could go much longer without undue harm.