Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Cuber is a 2.5 year old Cuban rock ig. She was spayed 1 year ago. She normally has had a very good appetite. Her appetite began to deline in mid November. At that time, we moved her to larger quarters, since she had outgrown her old pen. The new quarters are amply heated and has numerous hide boxes that she can use as burrows. She also has a number of bulbs for basking as well as UVB tubes. . . pretty much all the normal stuff. I've been keeping igs for over 10 years, so I think we pretty much have all the usuals covered, but who knows.

She has barely eaten a thing since mid November and she, of course, is withering away. Last week we took her to the vet who did blood and fecal. There was nothing found out of the ordinary and he gave her a clean bill of health, medically speaking.

So we are left with a number of things to consider. Was she traumatized by moving to a new enclosure? In moving to the new enclosure, was she psychologically triggered into thinking it's time to lay eggs, even though she can't produce any?

Any ideas on what the problem is and how to help her recover? She is withering fast and although these guys can live without food, while going through their egg cycle for quite a while, it's really getting me concerned.

Thanks,

Dario

Here are a couple things to think about:
1.) When I first brought home my cuban, caymanensis, rhino, and hybrid iggs (all at different times), it took an adjustment period of about two weeks before they all began to eat regularly. Having moved your igg, he may be needing time to re-adjust.
2.) Its getting cold all over the country; what was ample heat 2 months ago may not be anymore. Also, nighttime temps may be getting low. If you have not already taken temp readings, do so now.
3.) I have had really good luck with the PowerSun UV lights. Because they produce both heat and UV, my animals bask all day long, staying toasty until meal time. You may want to give one a try. Before, I used Reptisun tubes. The Powersun do seem to help with an iggs appetite.

Heres what my settup looks like for my iggs:
-4 ft long, 16 inch high, 16 inch wide glass enclosure.
-1 100 watt Reptisun on top of right side of cage
-1 60 watt bulb on top of left side of cage
-Tin foil covering the screen mesh around the bulbs (on top the cage) in order to keep the heat in the cage.
-At night, an undertank heater is turned on. Resting above the undertank heater is a bottomless hide box that I made out of cardboard.

Regarding eggs, I dont know very much. I hope that your igg begins to eat. My guys are really special, and if ever one was not eating, I would worry all day long. Good luck! I hope my reply is at least mildly helpful.

-Casey