Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. I havent posted in a while so not sure if you guys remember me. I have a ig Ozzy, hes about 4 years old now, almost 4ft long. He is the one that escaped out a window that had a slit in the bottom of the screen that i didnt know about, and ended up at the top of a very tall tree in my front yard. It was quite the fiasco, ended up calling a tree trimming service that came out and got him down for me. I was a mess that day worried sick, he was up there all day long. That happened at the beginning of last years breeding season. Well now on to this years breeding season, hes on a hunger strike again. He refuses to eat, if im lucky he will take a few bites each day and thats it. Its making me crazy. On a good note he is not agressive at all. He still seems to be very sweet. If it wasnt for the umm secretions he leaves in his cage and the hunger strike i probably wouldnt notice hes in season. Well and his color has changed a bit but not as much as last year. Im just starting to get worried about the eating cause i can tell he has lost some weight. He is staying hydrated i have caught him licking the water off the walls after i have misted him, which i do several times a day. He also has a fogger, a fountain, and a bowl of water. I guess i dont really have a question im just kind of venting my frustrations about his hunger strike. Just like last year he will mostly only eat the fruit i put in. He has a weakness for blueberrys lol. He turned his nose up at the canatlope and strawberrys which he normally loves. I also put his greens and other veggies in every day but hes maybe getting a couple bites of them and thats it. I guess i do have one question it seems like i remember reading that some people give there igs wheat bread as a treat? Right now im willing to try about anything to get him to eat more, so im wondering do you just tear it up in little pieces? mist it with some water first?
Just trying to think of ideas to get him to eat more. I know from last years season, he did the same thing and then when it was over he ate like a horse again. So maybe im worried for nothing but when you see they are starting to loose weight you cant help but worry. Ok thanks for listening to me ramble and vent, and i would love to hear any suggestions you guys have. Thanks again Tami

Hey Tami..

Well, as you know, males in breeding season won´t eat like they are used to. It´s normal. My male is in breeding and he won´t eat much, but he does eat a little bit everyday. He has lost some weight on the base of his tail and in the back legs. But this is normal, that´s where they keep the extra fat for breeding season time.
Did he lose a lot of weight?? I mean, can you see his ribs??
If you do, than I would take him to the vet. Just to make sure everything is alright.
Don´t have much more to say... sorry...
But good luck.. I wouldn´t worry about it.. but since you are already worried.. a vet appointment would be nice..
Good luck!
Later,
Dan

It's o.k. to feed wheat bread sparingly. It's also very normal for them to slow their eating habits. At least he's eating something. Just keep an eye out. J