I guess he's just not hungry?

[Teal]

My retic hasn't eaten since I got him, and I was told he ate three weeks before that - so, 2-ish months. I tried an f/t rabbit ( which is what he ate last ), and he ignored it. The live chicken walked right over him. The live rat he killed, but so far hasn't eaten...

He isn't losing weight, so should I just let him be for a bit? He was cleared by a herp vet when I got him, and is healthy.

[dave himself]

I know some males stop eating when it's breeding season. I'm sure some of the more experienced keepers would have a better idea of what's going on :)

[Sublimeballs]

Where are you at in the country(so we have an idea on the temps)? What are your hot&cold temps?

[shaunyboy]

as has been said,some males go off prey once breeding season starts mate

are your hot end temps high enough ?

a snake won't eat without adequate heat to digest their prey

cheers shaun

[Teal]

I am trying to sort out how to get his hot side a bit hotter... right now, it peaks at about 89F. His cage is super frustrating... it refuses to get any warmer in there, even though there are TWO heat bulbs and even if the room temperature is higher (for instance, it was 91F in the room when I got home from work, and yet only 78 in his cage??). So I am guessing it's a temperature issue more than anything? His previous owner didn't mention him going off feed during breeding season... but I guess maybe that could be considered a "normal" mode of behaviour.

[shaunyboy]

I am trying to sort out how to get his hot side a bit hotter... right now, it peaks at about 89F. His cage is super frustrating... it refuses to get any warmer in there, even though there are TWO heat bulbs and even if the room temperature is higher (for instance, it was 91F in the room when I got home from work, and yet only 78 in his cage??). So I am guessing it's a temperature issue more than anything? His previous owner didn't mention him going off feed during breeding season... but I guess maybe that could be considered a "normal" mode of behaviour.


are you sure your thermometer is working correctly ?

being 91F in the room but only 78F in the tank is wierd imo

cheers shaun

[Teal]

Yup, I'm sure... and I agree, it's weird! But the room thermometer is about four feet higher than his in the tank. But even if I take his right out of the tank and have it level to where it was... the temperature immediately rises in the air outside the tank. I think the tank placement has a lot to do with it, as well, because right now it's on the floor. I am going to build a stand to raise it up, and put the room heater underneath it to see if that helps... I am also building him a bigger, custom enclosure that will have a heat box.

[Lankyrob]

Probably not eating cos it is too cold in the viv to digest, bump the temps up to mid 90's and i bet it eats

[Teal]

Yeah, I'm trying... I am going to see how soon I can raise the cage up.

[shaunyboy]

Yeah, I'm trying... I am going to see how soon I can raise the cage up.


please let us know how it goes mate

cheers shaun

[Teal]

I will! Thanks for your help :)