Quick Question....

[Kaorte]

Well, assuming she is drinking, she is probably using all of the water that she ingests.

In my opinion, she is probably just fine. I hope she goes back on feed soon!

[L.West]

You know, she looks good and healthy. She has only lost 20 grams during this 2 month fast. I do worry though, do you have any suggestions on what to try to get her to eat. She has always been on f/t mice - she does not like rats and oddly enough - for such a big girl - she prefers very small prey so I have to feed her several each feeding.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Kaorte]

What is her enclosure like? Is she normally hiding all the time?

I can give you a bunch of suggestions but if she is on a seasonal fast there might not be too much you can do to bring her out of it.

I have heard that making some kind of change to the enclosure can sometimes make them go back on feed. I have also heard of car rides helping (although I have no clue why!)

[L.West]

She is in a RBI cage that is 3x2 - she has been in this cage for the past two years and never had a problem. It is heated with an RHP controlled by a Helix therm. I keep her temps 92/93 hot side and 83 cool side. She has two identical hides, along with greenery and logs for decorations. She tends to spend most of her time in the cool side hide since this fast started though.

[Kaorte]

It might be worth a try to stick her in a 32qt tub for a couple weeks and see if that changed her appetite.

Perhaps you could also change the substrate or increase/decrease the temps?

In a lecture done by Dave Barker (VPI dude) he said that sometimes to trigger a feeding response or breeding, all you have to do is slightly change one aspect of their environment. Sometimes lowering the temps (cooling) will get them in the mood, but the same can be said for raising the temps, changing hides, or changing substrate.

Hey, its worth a try I suppose!

[L.West]

Hey Kaorte, How do I switch her to a 32qt tub - do I just put the plastic tub into her big cage and utilize the heat from the RHP??? I am not a breeder and don't have alternate housing - these are just my pets. I have no problem buying a tub for her but I would need to utilize my current heat unless I go out and buy all new components for the tub.

Your thoughts.

Thanks again for all your help.

[Kaorte]

Hey Kaorte, How do I switch her to a 32qt tub - do I just put the plastic tub into her big cage and utilize the heat from the RHP??? I am not a breeder and don't have alternate housing - these are just my pets. I have no problem buying a tub for her but I would need to utilize my current heat unless I go out and buy all new components for the tub.

Your thoughts.

Thanks again for all your help.

I actually don't know how you would use an RHP with a tub. I am sure there is a way to mount it to the lid of the tub (if you can take it off the current setup).

[L.West]

I may end up buying a UTH to fit the tub properly - I will contact the breeder to discuss with him

Thanks again for your help.