Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My hogs are really stressing me out. It used to be that all but one of my hognose was eating. Then it turned into two that weren’t eating, then three… now, only one out of my five western hognose snakes are eating. The one that is eating is the one that wasn’t eating in the beginning. They are all yearlings or older and haven’t had problems before. One hasn’t eaten since June, another hasn’t since July, and the others haven’t for two or three weeks. I know that they won’t starve themselves because they have accepted my food source multiple times. But what is really making me worried is thinking if they will be able to go into hibernation in a couple months. Three of them are at a healthy weight. One of them is looking really thin and the other is getting thin. Is anyone else having this type of problem with established animals? Could someone please tell me what you would do in this type of situation? Also, if somebody could answer Balaschi’s post below I would appreciate it, because I have the same questions. Thanks for your help.
-----
James

Don't sweat it, Western Hogs are famous for fasting periods

Joe

While hogs may be "known" for going on hunger strikes, if a the snakes are losing significant portions of their body weight then it's not a good thing. Especially since they are only yearlings, not adults. They are still growing and don't have the fat stores built up that an adult animal would, so the hunger strikes have more of an effect on them.

Assuming you don't have any husbandry issues the next thing to look at would be the possibility of internal parasites. You may want to get a fecal done... both a float and direct smear.

I keep a large collection of ball pythons... so I know all about snakes going on these hunger strikes and I have learned to cope with them. But like I said if the snakes are losing a lot of weight and looking "really thin" I would start to worry a bit.

Good luck, I hope they start eating for you again.

Keep us updated.
-----
-Ross Payan - www.LeosAnonymous.com

Leos Anonymous

Ball Pythons, Red Striped Leos, W.Hognose and Screaming AFT's

I don't think I can get a fecal done because they haven't eaten in awhile, at least the two haven't. They are all captive born so I don't think they could have parasites. Only one is looking thin but I don't know about "really" thin. She is just a lot lighter than before. I was just wondering if I should put them into hibernation now while they still have some weight. And I hope this fast doesn’t last very long because I was hoping on putting them into hibernation in a couple months. Thank you for the response.
-----
James

Hogs go off feed if dehydrated.