Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When Mizzy got here she ate fine and after a few days she has dropped off.Issey continues to eat nothing unless it's forced on him. They have both been getting parazap (made fresh)twice a day for the last 5 days. What can I do.I have crickets, superworms, giant meal worms, and even silkworms. I've ordered butterworms and some more wax worms. They should arrive tomorrow or perhaps today. I have minersall vitamins,and reptavites and calcium supplements. I've tried food with and without powdering. why oh why won't my lizards eat on their own. Should I go a few days without feeding? Am I mothering them too much? I will say that our temps have been cooler recently,remember I am in NC. The house is about 70 degrees and of course I have their cage temps set up properly. I do turn off the lights at night,but don't offer food until their heat light has been on for at least two hours. My husband commented that the animals in the diningroom ( two corns, a puffer fish,and a bearded dragon) all have good appetites and the animals in the livingroom ( two collareds and durango mtn. king) are eating problems. I don't think that has anything to do with it. Vic(kingsnake) just isn't as hungry as ziggy and tango (corns). He eats every 10 days.They eat every four. I know this message is ridiculously long, but I need answers.

I forgot to add that they are active during the day. I know I don't want them brumating.They are too young.

and it sounds exactly what you are describing. I would recommend you allow them to do what it is they are trying to do...take some time off. Wow, and you just ordered so much food! Sounds like (as long as they are healthy) they will need a week of just digesting what food they may still have in them...then just shut their lights and any other supplemental heat off. Since the ambient temp is around 70, I'd just let them sleep at that temp, without providing anymore food for the next 6-8 weeks...I know, it sounds forever. Make sure you keep an eye on their weight and water retention. You don't want them dehyrating, so you will still want to offer some water in a shallow dish.

After the 4-6 weeks, turn some tank heat back on (undertank heater), then a few days later pop your lighting back on schedule. Keep watching the forums regularly...you'll see this topic come up about once a week for a while

Best of luck to you,

John Eddington

walter always eats less in the winter. last year i seriously thought that there was something wrong with him and even took him to the vet since he barely ate and was always lethargic, yet other wise healthy. he told me that come spring time i would have a completely different lizard and boy was he right. he was a crazy little sex machine all spring/summer and now he has turned lazy again and maybe eats one cricket a day. the other three are still little piggies though.
if you don't feel like hibernating them, maybe just offer them food every couple days. just make sure they are getting enough water. keep an eye on them and when in doubt, take them to a vet.
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vonnie
***There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it. Mary Wilson Little ***