Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I've had a Ctenosaura similis that was purchased as a hatchling for about 1.5 months ago. He was eating very well from the start and has easily doubled in size and was growing very fat on dusted crickets and "can-o-crickets". I also offer a bowl of shredded romaine, mixed veggies, and blueberries as well as occasional super-worms.

The problem is he has suddenly stopped eating and is looking quite "deflated" in the sides (although his tail is still well rounded). It appears to me that he hasn't eaten in perhaps 3 days and is oblivious to the crickets and superworms.

He's currently in a 29gal high tank (he's about 1' long including tail)with a 75 watt spotlight over a basking spot (infrared 115 degrees) and a 75 infrared light. The tank is kept within a mini-greenhouse with the door opened enough to maintain about 85 degrees ambient temp. and about 70% humidity.

This lizard up till now seemed robust and bullet proof. What's going on???

Rob

My C. similis tend to go through a short period of inactivity this time of year. Hopefully this is the case with your little guy. Try increasing temp. or offering a "HOT" spot. Also try substituting lean raw beef instead of crickets (rinse thoroughly.) If conditions improve you know he is just showing a little winter lethargy and is fine. Be patient and dont worry these guys are tuff as nails!
Jason

actually your basking spot seems high at 115 degrees. I would decrease temp first and see what happens. Unfortunately reptile keeping is not an exact science, and we can never replicate the idealic conditions nature provides. Sometimes its just a matter of trial and error.
My guys thrive, and I mean THRIVE, at 60 percent humidity, 80-85 ambient temp. 100-105 hot spot, on a diet half veggies half lean beef, always washed.

Thanks for your response.

I think he's slowly starting to eat again. It's just crazy, because he was so full of energy and super plump, then seemingly overnight he stopped eating and became "deflated" over the next several days. I have a green iguana (since '95) that will go off food for several days periodically, but my main concern is how young and small this guy is.

Thnx,

Rob

Update: he's almost completely filled out again and behaving normally. Strange that he stopped eating suddenly and was becoming so thin, then overnight back to normal.

Right before the turn around his head began to peel - could shedding have caused such a drastic situation or sheer coincidence?

Rob

I wouldnt be surprised if shedding some how caused excessive stress and resulted in his lethargy. Maybe even a little bump on the head from rubbing could have caused it. Never the less, glad he is coming around.

I don't know if this apply to Ctenosaura, but the green iguana would sometimes stop eating during the preshed period and stay off basking spot. They tend to get cranky during preshed. I would bet that it isn't a coincident that yours suddenly stop eating and then started shedding and eating again. A lot of the lizards will also stop eating prior to shedding. My geckos, for example, will not eat when they are about to shed. Also, Snakes for example, will not eat during pre-shed and shedding period...although some do after their eyes have cleared up. I would say that's the reason why yours have stop eating for a couple days.