Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've read that it's normal for females to go off their feed in the winter, but I seem to hear about it most from people who are trying to breed their females.

My female is still a bit on the small side, about 1230g, so I am not trying to breed her this season (though I do have my sights set on next season). She has just recently gone off her feed. It's odd to me just because she has always been such a fantasically reliable feeder. I've offered her three or four meals in the past two or three weeks that she has shown no interest in whatsoever.

My question is, how often should I keep offering her food? Should I just leave her alone for a few weeks, or should I offer her something every few days? Also, how long is it "normal" for females to go off of their feed in the winter? What have any of you guys seen?

Thanks,
~Rebecca
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1.1 Ball Pythons (1.0 '05 Ghost, 0.1 '03 Normal)
0.1 Dumeril's Boa '04
0.2 American Pit Bull Terriers (40 lb darling lap dogs)

Becca, I have a female that goes almost religiously 8 months out of the year without eating. From what I've seen and read, that's not normal. Usually it's more like two or three months. Until they reach sexual maturity they will usually eat all year round. Once they come of age, so to speak, they will start going off feed for the winter weather they breed or not. There is one on record for going 22 months without food with no ill effects, and wild caughts in particular can and will go a year or more. A few weeks is nothing to be concerned with unless she's dropping a lot of weight. Hope this eases yuor mind some

Quig

Once mine start to go off-feed, I offer food once at around 2 weeks, and then 2 weeks again. If nothing, I don't offer anything until the "warm-up". I have found that if they skip meals for a month, they are done for the winter.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles