Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a breeder female that has always been a great feeder for me, until the last 2 months she hasn't eaten at all. Usually she takes small rats and large mice. I keep her in my rack right next to my other female that has never turned down a meal so I know it's not environmental. Anyone have any good tips to getting a big female to eat before she gets put down for winter?

put her down now, maybe thats what she wants.

Hello

For how long and how cold do you have to cool an westernd

Greatings

I am continually provided with evidence that hognoses are overfed in captivity. I don't have time for one of my "Literature Reviews" to prove it. But to illustrate my point I refer to this paper:

Smith, G. S. 1976. Ecological Energetics of Three Species of Ectothermic Vertebrates. Ecology. 57:2: 252-264.

Smith found that Eastern hognoses consumed fewer calories per week than comparable sized corn snakes, yet their feces had the lowest caloric content. To me, meaning that what little they do need, they are relatively efficient at extracting energy.

I strongly believe that a large portion of anorexic hogs reported on this forum have met their caloric demands and no longer risk predation and retaliation from prey to pursue food they do not need. I agree with Jim, try cooling her now but as with any captive hibernating herp, keep tabs on their weight and that will clue you in on her health. Also consider getting them all checked for parasites. I have been finding a ridiculous number of papers reporting endoparasites of hognoses. That alone would explain the anorexia in that individual.

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"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."
Governor George W. Bush, Jr.

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes (Scientific Progress Goes 'Boink', 1991)