Dont Eat

cless986 · Postby **cless986** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:37 pm

Hi, I recently adquired a BTS, but she is very old, like 7-9 years
from his last owner that grew tired of taking care of her.
I made a glass case for her and provided all the things BTS need from reading this website caresheet, But she doesnt eat anything at all!!
I tried fruits, veggies, bugs and dog food but no success, even leaving the food for 1 day until they rot . Its normal that a old BTS grew so attached to her first and last owner and because of that she doesnt accept food from me?
help!! her last owner said she will eat ANYTHING but I waited for 1 week and nothing, she just hides and rarely moves.

NomadOfTheHills · Postby **NomadOfTheHills** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:39 pm

Some BTS don't eat all winter. Also, how big is the tank, and what temperature is it? Most BTS won't eat unless they have a spot that reaches 90-110F degrees, along with a cool spot between room temp and 80F.

jasjmm27 · Postby **jasjmm27** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:46 pm

Yeah, it sounds like she is trying to brumate and/or it is too cold in the enclosure and/or too dark?

By the way, you don't want to let the food rot/mold...I know it was just an attempt to get her to eat, but I wouldn't leave it for more then a few hours...whole day max...

Definitely check the temperatures, if that doesn't work then she is probably trying to brumate...assuming there is nothing else wrong with her.

Postby **Scotts1au** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 7:23 pm

If it is in poor condition and you are worried about its condition, given that if it is brumating you probably shouldn't feed it anyway. Try raw steak (that you would use for human consumption not animal grade) cut into short strips and make sure it is warmed to room temp for about 1/2 hour before you serve it up. No self respecting bluey can resist. Just make sure that you keep the temp up so that it can digest it. The problem will then be introducing other stuff back into the diet cos when fed meat tend to just want meat.

Scott

Celeste · Postby **Celeste** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:04 pm

Yes, please read the thread about brumation (here):
http://bluetongueskinks.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10406
and see if that sounds like what is going on.

-- Celeste

jasjmm27 · Postby **jasjmm27** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:09 pm

I would say:

1) Make sure that the temperatures are correct (90-110 basking area and 70-75 "cool" side). Continue to offer food.

2) Read up on the brumation thread and see if that matches what is going on?

3) If none of this is going on, I would take her to the vet...

Leigh · Postby **Leigh** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 2:04 am

Unless he looks extra thin and sickly and all conditions are correct,think of these three points.

1= new to you, and hides because he's not sure of himself in the new surroundings yet.
2= where in the world you are, as northern hemisphere skinks are mostly brumating at the moment.
3=due a shed, this will put them off of food and being messed with

7-9 years makes him only half grown,he should/could have at least another 10yrs left .

Tattoo · Postby **Tattoo** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 4:16 am

Welcome to the forum. :welcome:

Sounds like adjustment period to new owner and brunation is keeping your bluey from food. Good luck ... keep us posted.

mom22wins · Postby **mom22wins** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:56 am

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Is it possible that the previous owner gave him a nice big dinner before sending him off to live with you? That and the temp thing could be slowing him down from eating...

Other than that, I agree with what the others are saying. Brumation, temps, new home, maybe due to shed.

Keep us posted.

MartinsPerson · Postby **MartinsPerson** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 10:45 am

When I brought my first skink home he didn't eat for nearly a month. Its not uncommon. Just keep an eye out for weight loss. As others have said, that brumation thread is great. Congrats on your new friend and welcome to the forum!

KyleWeiss · Postby **KyleWeiss** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:44 pm

Rollie hasn't eaten since early November, but still is bouncing off the walls, even if I leave the lights off for a day. So much for brumation... :roll:

KW

cless986 · Postby **cless986** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:21 pm

So thats it? and sorry for not noticing that post before :p
Thanks, I should try feed her with meat strips then, But,
Its ok to play with and touch her in her brumation period?

Tattoo · Postby **Tattoo** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:26 am

If she is sleeping leave her alone. If she is up and around looking active well then maybe she would like to play with you. :wink:

I find even when mine is up he doesn't really want to do anything but find another place to dig in and go back to sleep. Each is different though.

Postby **Zach** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:38 pm

Tattoo wrote:If she is sleeping leave her alone. If she is up and around looking active well then maybe she would like to play with you. I find even when mine is up he doesn't really want to do anything but find another place to dig in and go back to sleep. Each is different though.

I tend to agree with this -- typically during brumation I think it's important to leave them alone, but if they are running around their cages wide awake, I can't see the harm in handling them a little bit. Of course, if he's anything like Slurpy, he'll go absolutely crazy in his cage, pacing at the glass, banging on it with his nose, then the second you let him out he goes to sleep. :nono:

I can't help but wonder what the majority of his diet consisted of before you got him?

cless986 · Postby **cless986** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:56 pm

Mostly of Dog and Iguana dry food, canned insects and baby mice.
I think that she is very healthy, but its true that a pink belly is a sign of health?

Fatal_S · Postby **Fatal_S** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 4:48 pm

No, some BTS just have a pink belly. It's just a natural color. Indos and IJs may have pink bellies I believe. Nothing to do with health, whoever said that is full of BS.

cless986 · Postby **cless986** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:46 pm

But I noticed that when Sofia (my BTS name) hasnt eaten well or got enough sunlight, his belly is a lot pale than usual, anybody else?

Leigh · Postby **Leigh** » Mon Feb 04, 2008 7:07 am

My IJ's belly changes colour, from pink after shed to milky white before,its normal .

Postby **Zach** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:33 pm

cless986 wrote:But I noticed that when Sofia (my BTS name) hasnt eaten well or got enough sunlight, his belly is a lot pale than usual, anybody else?

That wouldn't have anything to do with sunlight or eating, but shedding! Their bellies can changes all kinds of colors through the shedding cycle, and yes this is BEFORE shedding so it's easy not to associate it with shedding.

Postby **Zach** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:35 pm

cless986 wrote:Mostly of Dog and Iguana dry food, canned insects and baby mice.
I think that she is very healthy, but its true that a pink belly is a sign of health?

It's not true. And really, not all BTS have pink bellies! Some have fire red bellies, or creamy orange-sh bellies...some are much paler. Most are a pink-ish orange though.

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