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Male juvie thayeri refusing food

D

daner923

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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. I've tried braining the mouse, putting him in a deli cup with the mouse (brained and not), but he still isn't eating. 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!!
 
Just my two cents... I wouldn't be too concerned at 9 days. I wouldn't push it. When I have one skip a meal, I usually wait 5 days to a week before trying again. It could be breeding season malaise, but mine only seem to do that if there is a breedable female present. It sounds like yours are not mature yet. Wait it out, and try not to disturb the snake too much. I have a male eastern kingsnake who has bred this year that has only fed once since coming out of burmation. He's lost a little weight, but he usually gets back to pounding rats by April. Good luck! Hopefully someone else will chime in.
 
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