Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys,
Long time keeper (mostly venomous), first time pyro owner. Got a gorgeous pyro overnight last week during a cold snap. Was feeding well beforehand. I've got her nice and warm in a neodesha and have offered her f/t twice and she won't give me any play. Any thoughts/advice? Much appreciated.

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You might try giving her a week of consistently warm temps and then try feeding her again, if that doesn't work you might have to cool her until Feb. or March and try again. I wouldn't be nervous, just be patient.
Good Luck!
-Phil

Live, smaller prey. Most in the wild have long been off feed, so they may be just responding to natural urges to prepare for hibernation. Mine like it cool, seem to prefer hanging out in spots where temp is about 72F. They also seem to not like being kept on newspaper as opposed to cypress - (probably indirect effect of humidity drop). Mine are not voracious feeders, but eat steadily if I offer about every ten-twelve days. Mine haven't eaten in a couple weeks, if they refuse again I will probably hibernate them for nine weeks. man, they sure are beautiful snakes.

Later

Matt

Wow... I'm assuming you are talking about Arizona Mt. Kings? I've got a pair of Tarahumara Pyros who will also only take live pinks. But loves 'em to death. Here's a pic of a strange behavior... climbing after a meal to snooze.

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1 Eastern Blue Tongue Skink
2 Tarahumar Mountain Kingsnakes - Knoblochi
2 Golden Greek Tortoises
1 Pyxie Frog - 14 years old

Hey guys
Thanks a lot. I'll be trying live early this week. She's too small to brumate so I'll be hustling so she doesn't lose too much weight.

>>Hey guys
>>Thanks a lot. I'll be trying live early this week. She's too small to brumate

Not sure what makes her "too small" to brumate. In the wild, the little ones brumate just like the big ones. If she'd been feeding regularly before you got her, as your initial post said, she should have adequate body stores for brumation. I've routinely brumated babies that stopped feeding in the fall--and the infrequent baby that never feeds before it gets cool. They almost always come out of brumation with a stronger appetite than before.

Pyros seem to respond to an internal clock more strongly than other Lampropeltis i keep and have kept. So i figure it's best to let the snake tell US what it needs or wants or doesn't want, and have US respond to those signals, rather than trying to impose our wishes on them. It's certainly less frustrating!

I hope it works out the way you want it to. But I don't think there's any need for you to feel reluctant to brumate an animal just because it's young.

peace
terry

Thanks gentlemen! She's attacking the second live pink right now. Cheers!

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