Bluetongue not eating

[SarahJane]

G'day,
my bluetongue is not eating. She's always been fussy, but I'm getting concerned. She spends almost all of her time in the cold end of the tank and hardly basks. Previous owners kept her outside so I was thinking that she is wanting to brumate as she would have in an outside enclosure? I know that snakes can go for months on end without eating, but I was wondering how long before I should start to worry about a bluetongue not eating. Another point is that she hardly ever sheds.
Thanks,
Sarah Jane

 

[nicman72]

G'day SJ,
There's a good chance she's trying to brumate. How old is she? If she is brumating, then you don't have to feed her 'till she wakes up. I wouldn't be too worried.
Nic

 

[SarahJane]

Wow,
what a timely response, thanks for that. I haven't seen that behaviour before ( I care for 4 other bluetongues that hardly turn their noses up at food!) I'm not sure how old she is, quite small when I got her, but I'd say she's adult size now (Eastern). If I had to guess I'd say she's a year and a half old. If she is in fact brumating, should I avoid bothering her? I've mostly left her alone.
Cheers,
Sarah Jane

 

[Kristy_07]

They know what they're doing Just let her sleep, and feed again when she wakes up.

 

[Dizza212]

yep. My Eastern scared me first time she brumated but its all good. If they want food they will start looking.

 

[jewfish1]

Hi Sarah, The urge to brumate is most likely the reason the BT is not eating. My BT's are about a year and a half old and are currently brumating in their outdoor enclosure. I haven't seen them since april. If it doesn't want to eat don't be too concerned as they know what they need to do and can survive during the brumation period. Fresh water must always be on hand although they don't need to eat. As for shedding, when they're not eating they are not growing so they don't shed. This is quite normal.

 

[EmDown]

My big guy is kinda bruminating... he sleeps for days and then comes out fora bit... he drinks but doesn't eat..

What i've done is have a really think layer of substrate (i use kitty crumble) and have a nice hide in there as well... he buries himself under the hide all nice and cosy.. I have fresh water in there but occasionally when i am dropper feeding my beardies (yes they are spoilt) i give him some as well.

 

[serpenttongue]

SarahJane, if the blue tongue is in excellent condition and was well fed before winter, then it will be okay without food until Spring. I've found that blue tongues prefer to be cooled during winter, even those kept at summer temps.

I would still provide summer temps during the day, just in case it does have the urge to get under the heat lamp for a 'battery recharge', but no heating overnight. Also, continue to provide fresh water, as they will still drink during winter.

 

[SarahJane]

Thanks for all the reassurance, she has got good condition so I'll just let her do her thing then.
Sarah Jane