Getting nervous......

[jack jones]

So my boy hasn't shed since 11/29/16. He's been eating regularly until recently. He hasn't eaten since March 19. To be fair, I haven't offered any thing because I thought he was going into a shed. He's been reclusive, which usually indicates it. But he was also sticking his head out now and again.

He also switched hides at least once from cool to hot. He usually doesn't do that mid-shed. One other fact, the overhead bulb went out the other day, which I suspect induced him to switch hides to his hot hide, because once it was fixed he went back. He's been chilling in the back of his hide and not really sticking his head out much. I haven't offered food because he hasn't been that active.

I only ask because I'm taking a job out of town starting this coming weekend and will only be able to feed him on weekends after that since my wife won't. So if he doesn't eat this weekend, it won't be until 4/15, which would be darn near a month.

All of this said, what are people's thoughts? Any actions I should take or facts you guys need to give some advice?

[danielwilu2525]

Most males typically go off feed around spring. Mine went off feed around March, so that's fine. I'd wait for someone more experienced to chime in.:

[CALM Pythons]

My male went off 2nd week of March... If not in Blue i offer every 7-10.... Id see if he takes one in the evening before you leave... Then each weekend after until he does.


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[Gio]

Snakes being snakes.

Never think you have them figured out. They are masters of efficiency when it comes to storing and conserving energy. They can detect the slightest environmental cues and go off feed for a singular or host of combined reasons.

Here I was all set for a big spring feed today since I had an adult, male boa constrictor come out of shed this morning. He refused his meal, then an adult, female coastal carpet python refused her meal, and our royal refused earlier in the week.

The SD x dwarf retic is ready to eat in the next few days, but if he goes blue, he'll refuse too.


I'm not clear on the age of your snake, but our royal has eaten once in a year before, and the following year ate only twice. She ramped things up this last year and put on a fair amount of size. Now she's a monthly eater. The carpet is a goofy one too. She will eat every two months at times and then go into a 3 week mode.

The boa here is fed once a month usually, although that is dependent on prey item and size. Bigger is obviously a longer wait. I don't feed the boa at all from November until about mid March.

Still worried??? Don't be, unless there is significant weight loss or other signs of illness.

One of the greatest pets out there for active, traveling people IMO are snakes.

If you are "only going to feed him on weekends" I'd say there is nothing to be concerned about. That's actually fairly often honestly and missing a week is nothing.

Rest easy and let the snake tell you when it is ready. It may be a while.

[jack jones]

He's about 18 months old, weighing in at 1080 grams, and a good 3 ft long. He's always been a regular eater since I got him, which is why this concerned me. Also concerned me because he usually likes to pop his head out and watch tv at night (likes the flashing light I suppose), and he hadn't for a bit. Oh well, I'll check his hide to see if he has blued this weekend before I offer up. If I offer and he doesn't take, I'm sure one of the stray neighborhood cats will be happy with it.

[Gio]

He's about 18 months old, weighing in at 1080 grams, and a good 3 ft long. He's always been a regular eater since I got him, which is why this concerned me. Also concerned me because he usually likes to pop his head out and watch tv at night (likes the flashing light I suppose), and he hadn't for a bit. Oh well, I'll check his hide to see if he has blued this weekend before I offer up. If I offer and he doesn't take, I'm sure one of the stray neighborhood cats will be happy with it.

You'll be fine. They do that and the one year mark isn't a critical time for regular feeding, at least consistent weekly feeding.

I suspect he'll make you wait a week or 3 and snap back into it when the weather warms up more.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

1080 at 18 months for a male is really big especially at 3ft.

My guess he is catching up because he was overfed and it could very well last a year.

A good body proportion for a FEMALE is 500 grams per foot, a male is less because males should be lean not plump.

A male that size should eat a rat around 55/75 grams weekly nothing more if you want it to feed with consistency.

Because they are capable of taking larger prey or eating then for a while really does not mean they should.

As for shed adults do not shed as often as younger individuals



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[jack jones]

Well.....turns out he was in the middle of a shed. He sloughed it off last night. I tried to feed him today, but he didn't take it. It was right in front of his face too.

I also weighed him again after the shed (and some cleanup in the hide). He's actually 1035 grams. Should I cut back on the feeding a bit? He usually ate every 7-10 days.

Since he didn't eat tonight and showed no interest, how long do you figure I should wait until I try again? He usually likes a meal when he gets done with the shed. Perhaps the recent cold front that is going through my area is throwing him off??