Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys, got something weird going on and I just cant figure what is happening. All of my GTPs have suddenly become finicky eaters. Most of them eat like clock work and are pretty aggressive doing it. Suddenly, most aren't even striking and when they do they'll wrap it hold it for 3-4 seconds and spit it out. I've tried different eating times, different presentations, different temps, I've even tried chicks. I've gotten a couple to feed after quite a bit of coaxing but I have never seen such a swing in eating habits before.

Could it be a bad batch of rodents? Could it be the hurricanes and the heat (it has rained constantly for about 3 weeks or so)?
This has been going on for about a month. They aren't starving but they are out hunting after the lights are out, so I suspect they are hungry. Got any ideas?

Steve

There could be several things causing your animals to fast at this point. As you said, weather could be causing the animals to hold off feeding. It could also be an age thing. How old are your animals? What are the sexes of them? You could have a group of males that are reaching their adolescent stage. Lots of things to think about. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Brandon Osborne

Brandon,

I love your Velveeta babies. They've got some very nice potential. If I hadnt just bought a whole minivan full of snakes I'd con you out of one. Especially that little red monster. He's got high yellow with blue dorsal written all over him.

My group ages range from yearling to well into adulthood with virtually no two being the same age. They are about 60% female and 40% male. I'm not as worried as am puzzled/curious. It seems like they all got together and made a group decision. Like I said at this point they're not starving but I dont want it to turn into a major issue because I am doing something stupid (always a possibility). I think the thing that really puzzles me is the fact that they strike, coil,hold on for a few seconds and then spit the food item out.

It's funny how you can cruise along on autopilot thinking that you have all of this stuff figured out and then something new hits you right square in the brain box. Makes life fun doesn't it?

Happy snakin'
Steve

I agree with Brandon... Plus you said it yourself... it is probably a combination of the weather mixed in with a few other things... like males maturing...

a few questions though... it has been getting over 100 degrees during the day here and droping to low 60 at night... how constant are your temps... if you dont use a thermostat you might have the temps fluctuating too much and they might be confused about which season it is... because they breed when the temps drop and usually go off eating...

also... i assume you feed f/t... i usually shake my mouse a little bit after they constrict to insure they lock on really good...

good luck... try not to worry too much about it... its probably just chondros being chondros

Shiloh

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Shiloh Hawkesworth
kansas
(Midwest Serpents)