Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My last post was around aug 28th. Wally, my glossy, hadn't eaten for several weeks before that post, and still hasn't. He shed two weeks ago. He is about a year old, and he hadn't missed a meal till this happened. I've seen several glossy's about his size in pet shops and they are thin as rails. You can practically see their ribs. Mine is still plump, I just don't want him to get like that. Must I offer a lizard?

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MissHisssss

as long as he's maintaining weight, you are still within the parameters of normal husbandry. if/when his backbone starts to become prominent....then hit the panic button! he'd probably take a lizard now but then you would have to 're-rodent' him later. that's alot of [possibly unnecessary] work. increasing temps slightly may stimulate him....or a very brief cooldown.....say 45 days. the bullsnake i mentioned in an earlier post....fasted 28 days, remained fit looking and took a meal last night. now i have a n. pine off feed while his g/friend is pounding rats weekly. they are in the exact same conditions.....he's likely to see the brumation closet a little early this year as that time is approaching anyway here in the northeast. mh, hang in there a bit longer.....and 'think' like a snake. i think you'll be rewarded and will grow as a herper as a result as this isn't the last time you will see this. con't good luck!

Don't worry, it is approaching cool down time. As the weather outside changes the snakes can tell even though they are in doors. I had a yearling male western hog just come of a 3 month fast. He didn't lose any weight. I now have my adult stillwater hypo bull, fasting he's a little early for brumation. Just wait the little guy out. My glossy's are still eating like pigs but I have them extra warm. He will eat when he's ready. If you offer him a lizard you will make more headaches for yourself. If he's been eating rodents keep him on rodents.

Joe

I've never cooled a snake down for winter. Didn't last year when all of them (corns too) were hatchlings, and they ate all winter no sweat. This is why I was concerned. So, do they get in this mood because of their age?

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MissHisssss

np.

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