Hi all,
I am sure this has been asked to death in the past, but I am having issues finding articles or general advice, so please point the way to save everyone time if it's faster... Thank you in advance for your understanding, I just want a safe winter for my stubborn python.
Subject: Maurice
Breed: Rough Scaled Python
Age: 2.5 years (full length but still slim with a small head)
Weight: Was 482g on July 4th, now 460g July 21st
Location: Jimboomba - outside house (0 degrees at night to 22 degrees by day), inside enclosure hot spot 34 degrees, ambient 22-26 degrees with 24 hour heating (assisted at night)
Little dude ate all last winter (though was small for his age, he had a slow first year with food I was told) and chowed all summer/autumn, but has now refused two feeds in a row so has gone four weeks with no food. I have not lowered his hot spot temps and certainly did not power feed him to try for burmation, but am wondering if he is doing this of his own accord due to sensing the outside temps. No signs of respiratory infection, last defecation was normal, last shed all good (also the last meal he accepted on June 19th was after shed) and he is active at night, cruising around like always when the lights are out.
I am just wanting to know he will be ok until it warms up (given he has already lost weight and is looking a little dehydrated) and ask if I should keep offering him food fortnightly or wait for spring and just leave him alone to reduce his stress. Nothing is making me worry for a vet visit, I just want to give him the best setting until he is happy to eat again, and not do anything to compromise his condition. Really just looking for some good advice on what to do (I can't find much on these guys and burmating), any wisdom is appreciated.
Many thanks all.
I am sure this has been asked to death in the past, but I am having issues finding articles or general advice, so please point the way to save everyone time if it's faster... Thank you in advance for your understanding, I just want a safe winter for my stubborn python.
Subject: Maurice
Breed: Rough Scaled Python
Age: 2.5 years (full length but still slim with a small head)
Weight: Was 482g on July 4th, now 460g July 21st
Location: Jimboomba - outside house (0 degrees at night to 22 degrees by day), inside enclosure hot spot 34 degrees, ambient 22-26 degrees with 24 hour heating (assisted at night)
Little dude ate all last winter (though was small for his age, he had a slow first year with food I was told) and chowed all summer/autumn, but has now refused two feeds in a row so has gone four weeks with no food. I have not lowered his hot spot temps and certainly did not power feed him to try for burmation, but am wondering if he is doing this of his own accord due to sensing the outside temps. No signs of respiratory infection, last defecation was normal, last shed all good (also the last meal he accepted on June 19th was after shed) and he is active at night, cruising around like always when the lights are out.
I am just wanting to know he will be ok until it warms up (given he has already lost weight and is looking a little dehydrated) and ask if I should keep offering him food fortnightly or wait for spring and just leave him alone to reduce his stress. Nothing is making me worry for a vet visit, I just want to give him the best setting until he is happy to eat again, and not do anything to compromise his condition. Really just looking for some good advice on what to do (I can't find much on these guys and burmating), any wisdom is appreciated.
Many thanks all.