Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 08 male coxi has gone off feed. It has only been a few days and I normally word not worry about it, but he has never missed a meal. He has grown quite a bit and just shed three days ago. He normally eats right after he sheds. He has also been unusually active, cruising the cage and searching for a way out. The temps. have dropped slightly as I don't provide any heat other than room temp.(which might be my answer). Temps are around 66 low and 70 high. I cleaned his enclosure and his spagnum hide today. I've eclosed a bad pic of him in his shoe box, which he has grown out of. I'm getting him a new one tomorrow. Probably not much reason for concern, but any info or expierences would be appreciated. Thanks.

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Matt Kauffman

Matt I personally wouldn't keep them under 70 unless you are going to brumate them or keep a little heat on one side. If your room temp gets that cool at times and you don't want to fully brumate them I would keep a little heat on one side in the mid to upper 70's. Just make sure they always have a cooler side.
As far as getting concerned, I don't get worried at all when a snake skips a meal or two.
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Randy Whittington

Thanks for the reply Randy. I knew they were a montane species, liking it a bit cooler, but somewhere along the line I think I got thier prefered temp. range mixed up. They seem to thrive in the mid 70's, but like you wrote 60's is pushing it. I have been building a collection of montane species to work with because those are the temps that I am best able to provide. My deppei and jani don't seem to mind the cooler temps at all(although they are a totally different genus from a totally different continent). I am thinking of getting a pair of black milks because they fall into this category. I am also on a waiting list for a pair of intermontane rats. Ok, I'm starting to ramble, just love talking snakes. Thanks for the advice, as always.
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Matt Kauffman

Thanks Randy,
I raised the temp. to 75 degrees and he's right back on track. It's amazing what a difference a couple degrees makes.
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Matt Kauffman