Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I rescued an albino burm a little over two years ago. She is about 10', and at the time weighed around 20#. I got her bulked up to 46#, but she has been finicky in her eating habits ever since last spring. She doesn't appear to be sick, and hasn't lost any weight. However, she would never refuse thawed rabbits before, and currently I've wasted quite a few. I thought she would eat last night because I put her in her feed box, added the rabbit, and heard her hit it. Looked this morning and nothing happened. I went to take the feed box out of her heated cage and she came at me fast and struck the box. It seems like she wants to eat, but isn't taking the rabbits.
She also just shed a few days ago.

Should I just try again later or in the Spring? Is it possible that she's bulked up and will only take food sporadically now? Besides being worrysome, it is rather expensive to keep tossing the rabbits.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Robert
( rtober@mn.rr.com The MSN address has been canceled).

I'd toss the whole feed box idea. Just feed her in the cage..she will be fine and you have a less chance of becoming lunch.
How long has it been since she's eaten? and how often are you trying to feed?

Thanks...

She ate probably in October/November or so. When I first got her I fed her every three weeks. Once she bulked up and looked like she had gained enough weight I fed once a month. Up until this past summer she has never refused food - and I understand they can be quite the oinkers!

Thanks,

Robert

Temps and everything are good???
Are you sure its female?

Hi -

I got the expensive but efficient Pro Products heat panel, which is what I've always used for her. The first one I got was a bit small, so they exchanged it for a larger one. When using the thermal temp checker machine it read a good temp for her. When I first got her she was a bit sick and needed weekly vet visits. She was determined to be a female at that time.

I guess the question is when should I really worry? She hasn't lost weight, nor does she act sickly. I would really hate to have to give her up to a zoo after rescuing her and bringing her back from near death.

Thanks,

Robert

Is there any spot she can go to where the temps dip down? Also, how's the humidity? I just got my 11' burm to eat again. The hide box temp was really low. He would go there often so his body would stay cold even though the topside of his cage was perfect. I also renovated the humidity and now it stays between 60-75% depending on when the humidifier kicks in. He finally started eating after 3 1/2 months without.

Good Luck!
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell