Juvenile male thayeri suddenly stopped eating

[merlyn923]

Hi all,

I've had my thayeri pair since the beginning of December. The female has an incredible feed drive, but the male is timid (only will eat if I leave him alone with the mouse) and has skipped the occasional meal. However, over the past 9 days he has refused two normal meals in a row, a first for him. He weighed just shy of 25 grams after his last defecation, and now has dropped to 23 grams. He seems interested - he drags his mouse around, spends a lot of time out hunting every day, but he won't eat it. Nothing has really changed in his care - heat tape under one end of his bin set at 86F, cool side usually in the ~73-75F range, water dish, two hides, aspen bedding, shed fine a few weeks ago. I was thinking it might be breeding season malaise - his tub is right next to the female's - but I'm not sure if he's too young for that. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I know that 9 days isn't all that long for a snake to skip out on food, but it is coupled with some weight loss that is concerning to me.

Thanks!!

[prairiepanda]

Have you been offering different sizes or colours of mice from usual? Or maybe switched to a different supplier? Some snakes can get hooked on a specific type of food.

2g weight loss I would think could be attributed to having an empty stomach and probably having pooped. That's just what I think, though, and isn't based on any personal observations since I don't weigh my animals that frequently.

At this point I would not be concerned.

[merlyn923]

Thanks for the reply. I did recently up him from pinkies to fuzzies, but he's eaten a couple of the fuzzies already, so I don't think that's the issue. Maybe I'll try feeding him a couple pinkies instead and see how that goes.

I agree there's a good chance the weight change is poop related, but obviously he's still a small guy, so I'm sure you can understand why it concerns me a bit.

[EL Ziggy]

How are you thawing and offering the prey items to your snake? I use a hair dryer to heat my feeders to about 100 degrees before feeding. He's a bit small to miss many meals and he seems too young to be influenced by breeding impulses. I'd try a couple more times but if he refuses I'd consider a small live prey item to see if that stimulates his appetite. Keep us posted.

[merlyn923]

I thaw the prey items for all my in lukewarm water, and then soak them in very hot water (in a plastic bag) until ithey are ~95-100F. I'm going to try again tonight, and maybe try another cup feeding as well.

[Jim Smith]

Actually, I think you may have the answer already. Try switching him back to pinkies for a few feedings and if that doesn't work try a couple of live pinkies. I have a hybino tricolor Hondo that acted exactly like you're describing and moving her back to pinkies got her over the hump and she is a fairly good eater now. Just my humble opinion....

[merlyn923]

Definitely worth a shot. Thanks!

[merlyn923]

and the award goes to Jim Smith - he just wanted his little pinkies back. He ate two tonight. I'll continue feeding him a couple pinkies for a couple weeks and then try a fuzzy again. Thanks so much!!