JCP not eating

[radstusky]

My jungle carpet python, Leto, is a 2010 male and he's about 4.5 feet long or so. He's normally been eating rats like a champ with no issues. He will normally eat either FT rats or fresh killed, and I feed him once a month. Last week I gave him a fresh-killed rat, and for the first time with fresh killed, he didn't eat it. I then put it in the freezer for later. When I thawed it and gave it to him, he still refused to eat it. He seemed excited with a lot of tongue-flicking, but more interested in me. I even dangled it in front of his nose and put it right on him, and still no interest! See the pic...

I'm not sure what the problem is. Maybe the temps are too low? I have two heaters in there (not sure of the wattage) but they don't seem to be able to get it hotter than 86 or so.

[reptiledude987]

is the food item youre offering warm? Sometimes mine wont hit the prey if its not warm enough.

[radstusky]

is the food item youre offering warm? Sometimes mine wont hit the prey if its not warm enough.

Well, the fresh killed ones are definitely still warm. The ones I thaw I always give to him warm as well, straight from the warm water bath.

[shaunyboy]

snakes will go off their food for various reasons mate.....


he may be going into shed,it may be the weather as it's approaching breeding season.


i would offer food once every 2 to 3 weeks


cheers shaun

[BIGT FROM F.B.]

I think it's from the first real cold snap any of us in the Country have seen, causing a sudden decline in feeding and the snakes slowing down. 2 of my kings haven't been eating and I had to turn the temp up a little for them to start eating again.

[Stewjoe]

Breeding season most likely. Mine goes off food mid December to around March and one of my Diamonds has been off food for over a month.

[radstusky]

Breeding season most likely. Mine goes off food mid December to around March and one of my Diamonds has been off food for over a month.

So a male who's never been bred, will do this too? This could last til spring? I hate to buy rats and have them go to waste. I'll give him a week or two and try again I think, with a fresh killed rat.

[shaunyboy]

Breeding season most likely. Mine goes off food mid December to around March and one of my Diamonds has been off food for over a month.

1st September is the last feed my Diamonds get,then i give them 4 weeks to clear their gut,then i drop the temps,1stof March is the next time they get fed


to the op
so as you can see snakes can go a long time with no food without issues

my Diamonds only get fed 6 month of the year

my other Carpets only get offered 2 or 3 meals per winter season


cheers shaun

[radstusky]

1st September is the last feed my Diamonds get,then i give them 4 weeks to clear their gut,then i drop the temps,1stof March is the next time they get fed


to the op
so as you can see snakes can go a long time with no food without issues

my Diamonds only get fed 6 month of the year

my other Carpets only get offered 2 or 3 meals per winter season


cheers shaun

Shaun, to what temp do you cool to, and for how long?

I tried feeding him again a couple days ago and while he seemed really interested, he didn't eat the rat once again. I guess he's not ready.

cheers,

Stuart