GTP Feeding issues

[Kaa_BCC]

So my GTP oscar has been having some feeding problems. I am not sure what is exactly wrong with him. He will strike as if he is hungry. He will sometimes even wrap as if in full feed mode. Then he will suddenly let everything go and return ,allbeit very upset, to his perch.

I don't know what is going on with him. His temps are from 85-91 in a gradient all through his cage. No Night drop (he has a tendency to get RI's) I try to keep the humidity BW 70%-100% and try to mist at least 2x's daily. Not saying that I always do but I am pretty good about it. Any Ideas?

I haven't seen any signs of an RI yet even when I opened his mouth yesterday to check. I am really upset and confused. Even before when he did have an RI he ate. So now I am really not sure what is wrong. Any help or advice would be most appreciated. This is a new problem to me. And one I have never experienced before.

LOL Usually I am the one giving advice. I guess this just shows none of us are always on top of EVERYTHING. Nor am I too proud to admit when I have made a mistake and need help.

	Green Tree Python Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis)

[Kaa_BCC]

I also should say his last feeding was June 23rd. I have tried 3-4x's since then. He is not losing weight but this is odd for him not to eat for so long. He is eating Med. Rats I thought maybe I should try a small but that didn't help either. Same end result.

[phillipswildbill]

You have a very nice collection and obviously know snake care and this particular snakes behavior. You didn't mention his size or age, I'll just tell you about a couple of mine. June is a little early but most of my males quit eating on their own towards the end of July. My full grown male much earlier. My Albino Burmese male is the same way. This natural behavior for male boas, especially large ones. It's a neccessary string of events readying them for Dec. breedind as is shorter day light hours. This could be it. You obviously know the signs of RI. My breeding males refuse food until being seperated frm the females, usually March or May. Oh yeah, early on some of them do take it then leave it lay. I'm thinking it's a natural thing like their defending their space, not real sure. Good luck with him brother.

	Respiratory Infection Respiratory Infection

[Kaa_BCC]

Thank you. Yeah he is definetly an adult at around 6' and 6-7yrs or so. Well maybe he is just going off of feed then. This is my first year with him through breeding season I guess that may be what has me worried. Thank you.

[phillipswildbill]

Glad to help! He's in his prime alright. A whole lot of good years to go. You obviously know your stuff. My very first mature boa skipped a meal and I took him to a vet.

[Kaa_BCC]

I wasn't really worried until he started nearing the 1 month mark.

[budgie]

i had a male gtp off feed for 6 mths,i wouldn't worried about it offer him food in another 2 weeks.

	Green Tree Python Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis)

[MegF]

Sounds like a male being a male. I'd drop the high temps a bit though. I keep my animals at 82 on the warm side now since one of the guys on one of the other forums did a thermal reading on his snakes. He was finding that when his thermostat was set to 85, his animals were reading closer to 90 degree body temps. I've found better feeding responses and more active animals when they are kept at 82-83 degrees. I also let the humidity drop each day to around 65-70% Too much humdity is as bad as not enough. It's most likely that your male is just being a male though. My Green tree males haven't gone off food yet, but the adult Aru I have went off routinely for 4 months or more with his old owner. The only reason we think he hasn't gone off feed is that he's currently quarantined away from the other snakes and can't smell any of the girls.

[Kaa_BCC]

Hmmmmm Keep that in mind. If I drop his temps lower though he has a tendency to get RI's Gottafind that happy medium I guess.

	Respiratory Infection Respiratory Infection

[MegF]

Most people who are cycling drop temperatures much lower than 82 degrees. More like the 70's. If your animal is getting RI's when it's in the 80's you have something more going on. You might want to get a tracheal swab and sensitivity test to find out if you are dealing with a resistant form of bacteria.

[Dr_Gonz0]

Originally Posted by Kaa_BCC

I also should say his last feeding was June 23rd. I have tried 3-4x's since then. He is not losing weight but this is odd for him not to eat for so long. He is eating Med. Rats I thought maybe I should try a small but that didn't help either. Same end result.

Try chicks. In the wild, they live in the trees and eat chicks from nests.

[Kaa_BCC]

Thanks for the tip on tracheal swab. I might need to get that done.