When I first got this 2015 Pyro, it was taking FT pinks well, but it stopped eating about 5 weeks ago and when I tried live pinks, they just seem to scare her away and she looks to be getting real skinny (she is my most active snake; always trying to get out of the terrarium). Almost all my other 2015 Kings are eating fine, even got my Gray Band off lizards and onto live pinks, two at a time. Can't figure it out and am worried the Pyro may die. I also have an adult Cal King and adult Thayeri that have not eaten lately, but they are fat looking so maybe just stopped eating for the winter, although I'm not brumating them; the room is still averaging temps in the mid 70s.
Any help appreciated.
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pyro not eating
steeve111
Nov 22, 2015 01:05 AM
Replies (2)
markg
Dec 07, 2015 11:23 AM
My experience with montane kings - they either want to be at 55-60 deg, or 80 deg.
Not sure of the snake's health. The fact that it is skinny can be contributed to its not eating but exposed to temps that allow for calorie burning. The fact that it is always trying to get out is exactly that - it is looking for other conditions.
I have had to cool baby pyros and such. Not always, but it happens. Never had an issue. In Spring, they would eat eagerly.
The point is - whatever you are doing (snake in the 70s) is definitely not working. Don't blame the snake. Change the conditions. Does it have access to a moist hide? Baby montane kings are moisture-loss sensitive. Water bowls do little in that regard.
steeve111
Dec 07, 2015 05:55 PM
Ok, so I put a heat pad on the bottom corner of the tank where the hide is. also put a thermometer in the hide; it stays about 15 to 20 degrees warmer than the outside of the tank, usually 80-88 degrees. He goes in and around it and in the rocks next to the hide, but still does not settle down for long. Still not eating either. lately, the temp in my house cycles from high 70s in the day to low 60s at night. I would put the tank outside, but temps lately frequently get down to low 30s at night and high 80s in the day. Do you think I should get a temp regulator to control the heat pad under his hide and put the tank outside? That should keep temps in the hide from low 50s on cold nights to 80s on the warm days.
