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!!