Female garter not eating

[muggy2419]

My large female garter has stopped eating just a little while ago, she is housed with her 2 children (both which just turned 1 year old on the 1st of August) and they have a very large Viv. I have a hot side which gets to 30 degrees Celsius or so (80 degrees Fahrenheit I believe) and a cold side which is closer to 20 degrees Celsius (about 70 Fahrenheit or so) but both of these tempratures vary as they are right next to a window and on hotter days, the tank gots a bit hotter, and on colder days sometimes it cools down. I don't think heat is any issue because they have lived with it like that for some time with not problems, but I thought it would be good to include. She is about 3 feet long If not more and despite not eating for like a month or so (not exactly sure) has held weight very very well and is still impressively thick. She is still active and all other snakes in the tank seem fine and healthy. Any ideas as to what could be wrong if anything?

[Albert Clark]

Well, if she is housed with any members of the opposite sex she certainly could be gravid! She also could be ill. Besides not eating is there anything else going with her? If she is only housed with other females then she may have stopped feeding bc she has the desire to breed. In that case I would just put her into a brumation cycle. Oh, welcome to gs forum. :):)

[d_virginiana]

One month off food isn't really that much to worry about as long as she's keeping her weight up.

You might want to try separating her from the two young ones for a bit and see if that helps. Even if she's been living with them for awhile, at a year they're reaching the point where they're going to start being more forward and less shy, especially around food. That could be stressing her.

[guidofatherof5]

A month off food isn't that long and as you pointed out she is still active and not losing weight. It's good you are observant to her, she should be weighed often. Have you tried offering some different foods?

[Albert Clark]

If you decide to brumate her the benefit would be twofold. One, you will reset her feeding clock and two, she will be ready to and able to breed successfully. Barring any unseen illnesses.

[muggy2419]

Sorry for no update, I have been very busy and forgot about this post, she is eating very well again and seems to have had a "growth spurt". She is probably about 40+ inches and very active. Thanks for all the help.

[guidofatherof5]

Good update, thanks.

[Albert Clark]

Congrats. Glad she took a turn for the better.