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Feeding questions

E

elvis45

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Greetings all,
I have a cb04 female Eastern Indigo that, until recently, was a typically aggressive feeder. She ,typically, would take 3 XL f/t mice at weekly intervals,attacking with customary gusto Her last shed was about 5 weeks ago after about a 10 day "blue" period. At the subsequent feeding, she wasn't very interested and I left 1 f/t mouse in the cage, which she ate during the night. I left another one the next night and she ate that,too. I waited about 8 days and tried again. Once again, I had to leave it overnite. I tried to leave another the next night,but she left it alone. She poops regularly and it seems to be "normal" poop (smell,consistency,etc). Temp ranges are 68-78 daytime and house temp(mid to low 60s) at night. My questions are these: Should I be concerned about the lackadaisical feeding response or is this a seasonal thing (fall weather being here)? How much and how often do other keepers feed their animals? What are the signs and symptoms of a digestive impaction?
Thanks!
 
No problemo

Take a deep breath, and let out a sigh of relief. She's fine. This is typical indigo behaviour for this time of year. And it will continue like this until next spring. It is just natures way of preventing cannibalism during breeding season. It is caused by a seasonal hormonal shift, influenced by day length, and the animals own internal clock. It simply allows them to breed without eating each other. The effects of this shift will fluctuate back and forth a bit, usually until they shut down feeding completely. Each animal will respond to this to different degrees, throughout the season, and throughout their lives. But it becomes most powerful during the peak of breeding season, and then tapers off again through spring, until they return to their normal ravenous selves through the summer. Often times during the fall they will act as if they are starving, but will refuse food, and can't seem to make up their minds about what they want. That is because both types of hormones are present at the same time within the body. Much like horny teenagres who don't know what to do about it. Many animals undergo seasonal metabolic changes such as bears for instance. Feeding like mad all summer, and sleeping all winter.

This is also a normal thing for all new indigo owners to experience, myself included. Unless you have any other reason to think there may be a problem, I would say she's just fine. Mine are acting the same way. But FYI,...I feed two times per week with smaller meals. It keeps them more active, better for the stomach, and they seem to be much healthier. I would say that if she were impacted, her stool would be affected, she would be constipated, and their would probably be some blood in the stool. Take her out and hold her. Make sure she always has plenty of fresh, clean water. Good luck, and keep us posted.
T.
 
Thanks! I feel like an overprotective parent listening for every little sniffle and convinced it's West Nile virus. It took a lot of convincing of my very understanding wife to get this girl and I'm not so sure she (my wife) would be as accommodating to another Eastern should something happen to this one. If you think I'm nutso now, wait until I start thinking about breeding her (the snake, not my wife)! Thanks for the reality check!
 
No problem.,,,

That's what this forum is for.

And today I had an afterthought,... During the mating season the urge to breed may overpower the urge to feed. But cannibalism is never out of the question. Especially between males competing for the affections of a female. Maybe even your hand, if it smells like another male. Indigo owners would be wise to remember this.
T.
 
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