Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey everyone,
I have a quick question regarding a pair of western coachwhips I purchased about ten months ago. They are m. flagellum piceus, not sure what the common name is on that, red western I guess. Anyway, when I first bought them, they ate beautifully for me. My male, however, has recently gone on a bit of a fast, he hasn't eaten in over a month. He hasn't lost any visible weight, and still acts like his old self. Other than not eating, he acts fine. The female still eats fine as well. I'm just curious if this is common behavior for them to fast like that. At what point should I start getting worried? Thanks, everyone.

Kevin

Although I am, by no means, an expert; that does not sound like normal coachwhip activity. I have had my Red coachwhip (piceus) for well over ayear and have never experenced such behavior. Has the cage temperature lowered recently? That may induce a fast. I'm honestly not sure what to tell you. If you're feeding frozen-thawed you may want to try a smaller live mouse(maybe a hopper)as that may get him stimulated to feed. Personally, mine will rarely accept frozen-thawed. It could be nothing, but good luck!
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Roy Blodgett

1.1 Drymarchon corais
0.1 Coluber mormon
1.0 Masticophis flagellum piceus (black phase)
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila melanota
0.1 Candoia aspera (red phase)
0.1 Uroplatus henkeli
0.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.1 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

Nope, no lowering of the cage temperature at all. Like I said, my other coachwhip, a female kept in close to the same environment, has been eating fine for me. Everything else about the male is fine, no noticeable weight loss, no change in disposition, still active, no sign of mouth rot or anything like that. He always takes live, but the other day when I threw one in there, it was like he didn't even notice it, and it's been like that for over a month now.

Kevin

That's really strange. I wonder what could be wrong with him. I wish I could offer more advice, but I haven't experienced such behavior with my coachwhip. I hope everything works out. Keep me posted on his progress; I would like to know how things turn out.

Best of luck.
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Roy Blodgett

1.1 Drymarchon corais
0.1 Coluber mormon
1.0 Masticophis flagellum piceus (black phase)
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila melanota
0.1 Candoia aspera (red phase)
0.1 Uroplatus henkeli
0.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.1 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

I got two pinkies down him yesterday, I kind of half-force fed him, but once he got his mouth open and the pinkie in there, he pretty much did the rest. I haven't tried to feed him on his own again yet, but I'll try this weekend.

Kevin

Sometimes the male will shut down for a month or two while breeding. He should be hybernated in the winter for three months. He may refuse food during the time he is shut down. My male will go into hybernation fat come out of hybernation without a meal and not regain his apitite untill the breeding season is over sometimes that translates to no food for 5 months! He is now 10 years old. PS snake posted is not a coachwhip

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"Life without risk is to merely exist."

The fast is over. He downed his first mouse in a while yesterday. That's a big relief

Kevin