Posted by:
HappyHillbilly
at Wed Jan 9 22:26:54 2008 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by HappyHillbilly ]
It sounds like typical breeding season behavior to me. Mature males go off feed more than mature females but some females will go off feed, too.
My male hasn't eaten in about 4 months but my female continues to feed, just like she did last year.
If they're housed together you should have seen, or should be seeing, some breeding activity if both have gone off feed due to breeding season. Males that aren't kept with females during breeding season will typically reduce their activity to conserve energy for mating. Your male could be ready but the female may not be. If he's persistent it can stress her. A little bit of close observation and you should be able to tell what's going on.
You said you've only had the female less than a month; is there a chance she's stressed from the new environment and/or mate?
84 degrees is OK but since you're having trouble heating the cage make sure the temps aren't much lower than that anywhere within the cage and definitely try to keep humidity levels up. I hope you're able to see them frequently in case they start showing any signs of respiratory infection.
"OKReptileRescue's" 'light box' idea should work fine for you. You can use 1/2" hardware cloth or any other kind of small, smooth wire to put across the open end that the lights shine thru. You can also increase humidity a tad by placing the water bowl/pool under the heat source. But there still needs to be a dry place they can get to so they can get warmer without getting wet.
Take care!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American
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RE: not eating - HappyHillbilly, Wed Jan 9 22:26:54 2008