Assist feeding adults?

Have a 7 year old adult male pastel who has been off feed for about 4 months now. Was 1330 grams when he went off feed and had dropped down to 1280 ish grams about a month ago. measured him last night and he weighed in at 1200. Should I assist feed him or should I wait for him to come around? Will he come around? Am I overreacting about 130 grams or is that a lot to lose over 4 months? my biggest issue is the 80 gram drop in just under a month... Appreciate any help.

That's not a severe weight loss IMO, I would wait till he comes around. You could always try live to "jump start" them eating again.

Answer is NO, assisting is for animals that do not know how to eat, or in a weak state.

4 months without food for an animal that size is NOTHING, it could last a year or more.

The key is to monitor your snake, make sure he is well hydrated, make sure your husbandry is optimal, and most importantly even though I know it is frustrating be PATIENT.

Snakes are very efficient and at that size there is no reason to worry.

Trying to assist feed this snake sounds like a sure fire way to extend his fast due to stress.

I know the length of this fast is driving you crazy, but I don't think the weight loss is that severe. Give him time and let him come around on his own.

EDIT: Deb beat me to it :)

Thanks everybody. This season is going to be my first breeding season and I dont know what could be considered serious weight loss though honestly I am not too worried about his weight I know 130 grams isnt a lot it was just that sudden drop of 80 grams. And sometimes I can get a little anxious. Suppose he does not eat between now and fall but he doesnt lose much more weight should I hold off on pairing him up with a lady or would it be ok to pair him with one girl?

If it was me and he did not eat between the two seasons I would not breed him till he ate. Also try different prey. My solid rat eating snakes both took mice after their fast before they would take a rat. Or as mentioned feed live instead of F/T...My two breeder males went from Nov to April no food this year!

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Originally Posted by Wapadi

If it was me and he did not eat between the two seasons I would not breed him till he ate. Also try different prey. My solid rat eating snakes both took mice after their fast before they would take a rat. Or as mentioned feed live instead of F/T...My two breeder males went from Nov to April no food this year!

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