Hi all,
My 13 year old male corn has always gone on a springtime fast, usually going off feed in March and resuming feeding in June. Like clockwork. He's in GA with me, near his native habitat, so humidity and temps should be fine. Ambient temps range from upper 70s to upper 80s across the cage, throughout the day and night. He has never had live prey - I got him at 6 months, and he's been eating frozen thawed ever since. Small rats mostly.
The current fast is lasting longer and he's noticeably skinnier. He drinks a lot of water, which is good. Activity level had been high till June but has tapered lately, which I thought meant he was going out of mating mode and into feeding mode, but not the case.
I am looking for opinions and ideas. Live prey? Scent the F/T with chicken broth or tuna? Or just keep offering weekly? I'm just worried about the duration of the fast and the visible weight loss.
Vet force-feeding is also an option, though not my favorite.
Thanks,
Brian
My 13 year old male corn has always gone on a springtime fast, usually going off feed in March and resuming feeding in June. Like clockwork. He's in GA with me, near his native habitat, so humidity and temps should be fine. Ambient temps range from upper 70s to upper 80s across the cage, throughout the day and night. He has never had live prey - I got him at 6 months, and he's been eating frozen thawed ever since. Small rats mostly.
The current fast is lasting longer and he's noticeably skinnier. He drinks a lot of water, which is good. Activity level had been high till June but has tapered lately, which I thought meant he was going out of mating mode and into feeding mode, but not the case.
I am looking for opinions and ideas. Live prey? Scent the F/T with chicken broth or tuna? Or just keep offering weekly? I'm just worried about the duration of the fast and the visible weight loss.
Vet force-feeding is also an option, though not my favorite.
Thanks,
Brian