Too Long Without Food??

[eitak]

So I have 3 pythons

2 x Yearling diamonds
1 x 3-4 yr old spotted

They live in outdoor enclosures without any heating/lighting (they do get put out in the sun for a few hours a day 4 days a wk).

They haven't eaten since the 4th of may, I have tried to feed them twice, once about 2 weeks ago and again a few days ago but they didn't want a bar of it. I'm not to worried about the spotted he is a fatty. The two diamonds however, have always been slender (I don't power feed) I'm just concerned about them not having eaten for so long. Will they be ok or should I give them on a heat matt/light to up the temps?

 

[vampstorso]

don't stress
it's winter so they'd be slowing down on their eating

and at that age I'm pretty sure the Diamonds could handle it

 

[eitak]

Ok cool. I know they can go awhile with out food, I just worry coz its been close to two months. Hopefully it warms up soon so they start eating and then I don't have to worry :S

 

[vampstorso]

haha don't worry
no matter how much we've read, or how many times we've comforted other people...we always stress when it's our animals behaving in whatever manner

e.g. I knew my new lizards wouldn't eat straight away, but I still stressed myself horribly over it until they did!

 

[longqi]

If they are in an outdoor aviary type enclosure they should have direct access to sunlight when ever they want
If they dont have this access you may need to provide some extra heat
Huge difference between a bit of sun 4 days a week and their freedom to thermo-regulate when they want to or need to

 

[Joey]

sorry for a thread hijack but im having a feeding problem too..

my port mac hasnt eaten in around 3 months now! hes around 3 years old. never had this problem before! been trying to feed him for the past month but hes not interested! hes got heat, and still not doing anything.. and today i just noticed his colors are going dull and milky eyes (shedding). how can he shed if hes not eating :/

 

[bluey87]

Ok cool. I know they can go awhile with out food, I just worry coz its been close to two months. Hopefully it warms up soon so they start eating and then I don't have to worry :S

i dont think it will be warming up for another few months i know here in brissy it doesnt start gettin warm till around sept

 

[MR_IAN_DAVO]

eitak,
I would not worry about the feeding too much they will start eating when warms up & they are ready.
BUT like Longqi says if in outdoor enclosures with no heating, they should be getting morning sun for at least 3 to 4hrs to enable them to thermo regulate. Even though you are in Townsville & night time temps not that low, they still need that morning sun on thier enclosures.

Joey,
The same goes for you, don't worry it is winter & a lot of reptiles back of on thier food this time of year. You could try again after shed, but otherwise don't stress.

Cheers
Ian

 

[lizardloco]

Can yearling diamonds be kept outside!?!

 

[LizardLady]

Can yearling diamonds be kept outside!?!

Yep, in the warmer, temperate climates - like northern Queensland, for example... However, I wouldn't try it in Sydney...!

Hope that helps!

Best,
Carolyn

 

[lizardloco]

Yep, in the warmer, temperate climates - like northern Queensland, for example... However, I wouldn't try it in Sydney...!

Hope that helps!

Best,
Carolyn

But if they're 2-3 year olds they can be kept outside.....in Sydney

 

[MR_IAN_DAVO]

Just my opinion, is that any young snake is best housed inside until a siutable size when they are more comfortable of being exposed & are more confident about thier size. At 2 to 3 years they would also be a larger size to regulate & hold warmer temperatures more easily.
Most young snakes are uncomfortable with being exposed to large areas as they are prey for many other animals & prefer to hide away in a nice warm area.

Cheers
Ian

 

[eitak]

If they are in an outdoor aviary type enclosure they should have direct access to sunlight when ever they want
If they dont have this access you may need to provide some extra heat
Huge difference between a bit of sun 4 days a week and their freedom to thermo-regulate when they want to or need to

They aren't in an aviary they are in mesh enclosures that I move into the sun. Because of my yard (mostly garden no lawn except drive way and pool area) theres no where I can safely keep them for them to get natural sun cycles - hence why I put them in the sun.

I do have heat matts and globes but during summer here its quite warm so didn't use them now that it's winter though I wasn't sure wether to use them. I think I will chuck the heat matts on though - thanks

Just my opinion, is that any young snake is best housed inside until a siutable size when they are more comfortable of being exposed & are more confident about thier size. At 2 to 3 years they would also be a larger size to regulate & hold warmer temperatures more easily.
Most young snakes are uncomfortable with being exposed to large areas as they are prey for many other animals & prefer to hide away in a nice warm area.

Cheers
Ian

I had been keeping them inside in a converted aquarium, but was worried about them being overheated due to DPS hence why I put them outside in a mesh enclosure so they could have a colder climate. They do have lots of hides/shrubbery in their outdoor enclosure.

But - I only want to do whats best so if that means inside then inside it is! and with a heat matt.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions

 

[reptilife]

sorry for a thread hijack but im having a feeding problem too..

my port mac hasnt eaten in around 3 months now! hes around 3 years old. never had this problem before! been trying to feed him for the past month but hes not interested! hes got heat, and still not doing anything.. and today i just noticed his colors are going dull and milky eyes (shedding). how can he shed if hes not eating :/

I know someone with a Stimson which only eats 3-4 months of the year.... will refuse weekly offers of food 8-9 months of the year. This is an adult male in prime condition and a successful breeder. Certainly hasn't had any ill-effects.

 

[Joey]

Thanks for the help! I will attempt again after the shed

 

[mysnakesau]

Ppl are mislead to think that once the lump goes down in their bellies, they have digested their food and it poops out a few days later. This is not the case at all. They can take weeks to digest food. The poop you see today isn't their last feed. Your snake hasn't eaten for 3 months but he is still carrying nutrition from the food he has had.

My Port Macs have gone off their food, too. So I wouldn't worry too much just yet, till the weather warms up. And then they warm up to the breeding season. Being a male, mine have previously not started feeding until late November. Their minds are pre-occupied before then, and if a female becomes gravid she most likely won't start.