Weight loss

As this is my first year with "adults", I have some that are refusing pretty consistently thanks to breeding season. Although I am not breeding this year, I'm sure they can tell the temperature changes. Either way, I have at least 2 males that are refusing almost every week. I know it's normal and I'm not that concerned, I'm just curious how much weight loss is acceptable. I male pastel used to be my biggest guy, and I think he's lost about 100 grams in about 2 months. My male mojave also seems to be a little "thinner" than he used to be. How much do you guys consider acceptable to lose? At what point should I worry with the weight loss?
Thanks :D

My male normal is currently off feed and has been for 34 days now. He did this to me last year for 43 days. I was told not to worry about it then and I am not worrying about it now either. Unless you notice your snakes getting abnormally thin rather quickly, I would not worry to much.

Same thing over here my pastel won't eat for 2 months now either...

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Originally Posted by LGray23

As this is my first year with "adults", I have some that are refusing pretty consistently thanks to breeding season. Although I am not breeding this year, I'm sure they can tell the temperature changes. Either way, I have at least 2 males that are refusing almost every week. I know it's normal and I'm not that concerned, I'm just curious how much weight loss is acceptable. I male pastel used to be my biggest guy, and I think he's lost about 100 grams in about 2 months. My male mojave also seems to be a little "thinner" than he used to be. How much do you guys consider acceptable to lose? At what point should I worry with the weight loss?
Thanks :D

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My male went off feed for 5 months last winter and lost 30 grams (down from 700g). However, I know the starting weight was completely empty. I think you're fine as long as he doesn't drop more than 20%, or 10% if you're positive he was empty on that starting weight. Any more, and I'd personally pull him from breeding.

My problem child stops all together during the breeding season. She is a poor feeder at the best of times but I just pulled her records and she started at 1126gm and after 5 months was down to 985gm. About 12% weight loss, she always looked healthy and acted normal with a full round belly. I think that it depends a bit on the start weight and a bit on how much extra weight they start with my big female drops 200 gm very very quickly in a month or less and then slows down a lot but at 3700 gm it is not much. I think that extra 200 is actually making her a bit too big, fat maybe... hard to say she is just over 6 foot.

Thanks for all the replies. Hopefully they snap out of it and start eating for me, even occasionally.

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Any more, and I'd personally pull him from breeding.

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I have none breeding this year.

Do not stress your self out check the temps, make sure things are fine husbandry wise and that the snakes look good and healthy and are acting normally, check weight every few weeks and relax. It is easy to say hard to do. They will eat when they are ready, it sounds silly but not a mammal. The longest documented fast (that I know of) is 18 months, with no problems. we all know royals go off food and well yes they do. Usually by spring every one will be back to feeding. :cool:

I also have one that isn't eating now. He's always been a really good eater as well and there have been no changes in temps/set up/husbandry. I figure he'll eat when he's hungry :)

I have a female that should be well over 1000 grams like her clutch mates but she is sitting around 450 grams. She went on a hunger strike for almost 7 months. She lost a lot of weight and I was honestly thinking about my options with her. She started eating agian a few months ago and hasn't missed a meal yet. She is putting her weight back on nicely but I don't think I will breed her for atleast 2 years as long as she can keep her weight up and doesn't go on another hunger strike. If she does I know she will make a great pet.
I have a friend that has a male that he got from a lady that didn't want it anylonger and she told him that the snake only eats 2 months out of the year. I will say that during those two months you better not hold your hand in front of him or you will get bit. The other 10 months out of the year he could care less if rats came over to his tub and had a party.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LGray23

As this is my first year with "adults", I have some that are refusing pretty consistently thanks to breeding season. Although I am not breeding this year, I'm sure they can tell the temperature changes. Either way, I have at least 2 males that are refusing almost every week. I know it's normal and I'm not that concerned, I'm just curious how much weight loss is acceptable. I male pastel used to be my biggest guy, and I think he's lost about 100 grams in about 2 months. My male mojave also seems to be a little "thinner" than he used to be. How much do you guys consider acceptable to lose? At what point should I worry with the weight loss?
Thanks :D

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It's a factor of three things (1) the original weight of the snake before the fast, (2) the length of the fast and (3) the amount of weight lost.

The rule of thumb used to be about 15 to 20% in an extended fast. Obviously if your snake lost 20% of it's pre-fast weight in one or two months you might want to raise an eyebrow. If it lost 15 to 20% in a six to eight month fast, you're probably okay.

If you do the math, 15 to 20% over 8 months works out to 2 to 2.5% of the snake's weight per month.

Do those numbers mean anything? I think in the case of rapid weight loss - yes. Otherwise take them with a few grains of salt.