Eating Habits?

[Martinz21]

So the past few times I have fed my Garter he hasn't eaten his entire meal like he used to. I have been cutting up fuzzy pieces because they: 1. Are too big for him to handle whole and 2. He hasn't been eating all of it. He is about 1.5 years old. Is this a normal occurrence that they slow down a little? I am just curious no rush.

[guidofatherof5]

This time of the year I would say it's normal.
Some snake slow down(less quantity) or completely stop as Fall/Winter approaches.

[Martinz21]

Ok! Thanks for the information

[joeysgreen]

The important thing is to watch your snake and be certain that it is adjusting to seasonal changes and not getting sick. As the day length gets shorter (I assume there is a window in the room), and temperatures begin to cool, the animals will know that fall is here and behave accordingly. However, in an enclosure that is maintained at summer temperatures as is common, and likely recommended unless you are planning to breed this snake in the spring, reduced appetite will likely lead to weight loss. So, weigh your snake to the nearest gram on a weekly basis during any time of concern; less often when things are going smoothly. A weight loss, or other symptom (lethargy, skin wrinkling, nasal/oral discharge, diarrhea...) is not normal. A loss of 10% is generally time for medical intervention, but don't wait that long if he's clearly otherwise sick. Growing animals less than one year should see intervention before a 10% loss.

Ian