Dealing with hunger strike

My bp Wasabi -- that used to eat everything as soon as he could reach it -- has been being a bit of a turd lately.

I had an excellent source for mice and have probably 50 of them, in various sizes, that I'm trying to get rid of before I switch to rats. He was eating 3 a week during September and October and was a pretty healthy size if you ask me. Pic is from right around Halloween.

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/1641/2q4g.jpg

But once we hit November his eating habits changed drastically. He will eat one mouse MAYBE every week and a half and just seems uninterested. He's very social, and nothing in his environment has changed...he's just not eating as well. He's a year and a half old and I have no idea how much he weighs.

Do you guys think its just horny-snake-season stuff?

Every possibility. If he is 1000g he could have "hit the wall" where a lot go on a food strike. As you said though you're not sure of weight. You could still offer and see how it goes and double check husbandry :)

I think I'm actually going to hold off on offering for a week or so. I offered today and he flicked his tongue a few times and decided his warm hide was more important. Hopefully he gets over it quickly. Thanks!

Not to worry. Our female stopped last Xmas and didn't start up until last June.

Now she stopped in September. 6 months with no food does happen.

Hunger strikes are very common in Royals and they bug us more than the snake LOL!

As long as there is no major weight loss or husbandry related reason as mentioned above, you will be OK.

I have heard of people offering less often in these times such as once a month, if they're hungry they will eat :) monitor your snake, he looks healthy and only be concerned if he starts looking like he is losing considerable weight! Hope it's a short fast for you! :)

I feel like him not eating is more stressful for me!

Yep, my pastel eats when she feels like it and it gets me so stressed. I feel your pain!

My males like to go off feed this time of year. Especially when they hit breeding weight.

Yep, as others have said, it's extremely common for them to stop feeding this time of year. I wouldn't stress too much as long as he maintains good body condition :)

-Jen

I have a pain in the but spider girl ive had her for 6 weeks shes only taken 1 meal all my other balls eat like champs shes the only one not eating but shes not losing weight so im not worrying its just annoying

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