Quote Originally Posted by C2tcardin View Post
So my male Piebald, who was recently weighed at 956g, seems to be starting a hunger strike. He ate a small F/T rat 4 weeks ago on 1/25, I offered two weeks ago per his normal schedule and he refused. Today I offered again and it would appear he is turning his nose at it. I'll leave it in his tub overnight and see if he eats it later. I've never had one go off feed before, I'm guessing it's customary to just wait another 2 weeks to his next scheduled feeding time and try again. The question I have is do you continue this pattern until they feed again even if it's many months later? Or do you try other tactics like offering a live rat at the next feeding interval or switching to mice?
What do others do?
What was he doing prior to the hunger strike? We're you breeding him, was he sick, did you change his enclosure or anything? You know 4 weeks really is not a long time to miss feedings or refuse meals. Disappointing? Yes. Imo, I would double check the husbandry and offer live at the next scheduled feeding in two weeks. Especially if the husbandry is on point. Maybe he wants to breed? 956 grams is a pretty good weight. Is he in a rack where he can smell breedable females? Either way if it continues and you think it's becoming problematic visit www.darkmanreptiles.com On his face page is how he deals with "problem feeders". Be patient and stay in peace and not pieces.