Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have received several e-mails over the last few weeks from people asking about the feeding habits of larger females over 12 feet or so. Seems that they are having troubles with their larger females (12 to 14 feet) going off feed for several months during the year. These are not females in breeding mode, so that would not be the issue. I have several females that size or larger, and have never had them go off feed for any period of time unless they are being cycled for breeding, or are in the later stages of a pregnancy. Actually, they will many times feed even during the cycling period, and during the early stages of a pregnancy. I don’t recall Jud ever having an issue with this either.

I was just curious as to what some of you other keepers of larger females have experienced with regards to this topic. Thanks in advance for any input you might have.

Kelly

Most of my bigger females will stay on food as well, they sometimes might refuse a meal or two through the winter months, but for the most part they will continue to feed. My males on the other hand sometimes tend to go off feed for a few months.
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Ben R.
Renick Reptiles, Inc.
www.benrenick.com

i dont currently keep any large female anacondas at the moment but when i was i never had any trouble with them going off food i still have my male yellow he will go off food few months during the winter but normally eats whatever i put in front of him
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Kevin Harrison
Too many pythons and boas to count

Kelly,
Personally i havent experienced this problem with adult female greens unless they have been sick. In my experience unless they are compromised there is no reason for them to go off their food with the exception of the breeding cycle.
Dan

You have experienced the same thing as I have. Females feeding pretty much all the time. Not sure what the issues are with the females of the people who have e-mailed me. Didn't get a lot of info, but could see no good reason for it off hand. Ben, I have definitely had the experiences with the males. My larger adult male goes off feed for 3 or 4 months every winter. Thanks again,

Kelly

Kelly,
I am a little late in the game, but I too have never had my female green anaconda skip a meal. Her temps and humidity are kept pretty constant throughout the year and she is in excellent health. All I can guess is that there must be either health or husbandry issues at play with the keepers in question.