Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, my JCP hasn't eaten in about a month and a half and all he does is slither all around his cage. Is this normal?? He has always been an eating machine.

I am by no means an expert, but I will offer my experience. I have had JCPs for 8 years now and every winter they stop eating for several months. I have always lived at high latitude (used to be Alaska, now Wisconsin) and I think they get strong cues from the ambient photoperiod as well as decreased humidity (and possibly other changes like barometric pressure). I remember the first winter this happened to me and I was freaking out because a couple of months went by and they hadn't eaten. My jungle/diamond cross would stop eating for about 5 months, then become an eating machine in the spring. I suppose you can induce eating by increasing the temperature, humidity, and/or photoperiod. My snakes are always pretty well fed the rest of the year, so I am more relaxed now when they take several months off in the winter. Interestingly, none of them ever did this in their first year of life. I am assuming your snake is an adult and in otherwise good health.

Well he is 2 years old and about 3 1/2 feet long. He's in really good health. I guess I'm worrying a bit too much. I'll just keep offering it to him once every 2 weeks

Its the breeding season, dude!!! He isn't interested in food because his little brain only has one thing on its mind and it's a lady!!! Loss of appetite, restlessness... classic breeding season behavior.

He'll eat when he's ready - don't sweat it. He probably will be restless for a while though..

Joe

that is true. my 7 foot male about 3-4 years old went from sept to dec without eating. he finally ate a couple weeks ago an is now in shedding mode. he did the same thing....very restless and wanting out all the time. he has calmed down now and is back to normal. i stoped offering him food after the first couple times he wouldn't take it. then when i noticed him calming down i tried again an he finally ate. if yours is in good heath he will be ok for a while without food.

can that happen with females too?

i'm not a breeder so i don't know if females do the same thing or not. sorry

Yep, he's constantly trying to look for a way out and moving back and forth from one side to the other lol. I'll keep an eye on him and offer some food once every 2 weeks.