well, the male was eating, until i brought him home....i guess he smelled the female...
i didn't quarantine him...but i did notice when i got him back that he had a nose rub...so i took him to the vet, got some antibiotics & got him all checked out...so he's fine...
he hasnt lost any weight...i'm pretty sure he's in breeding mode...he goes nuts pretty much all day...pacing the cage
Gonna chime in on this one. Most snakes tend to stop feeding all together or greatly reduce their intake because prior to Brumate season they start storing nutrients and fats for breeding and to get them through winter. It's instinctual.
I have snakes now that I've had for almost seven years that all of a sudden stopped eating during Brumate completely. They appear to have lost a little weight but definitely nothing significant because you have to also consider just because the weight is down a little and they are refusing food doesn't mean their nutrients levels are down.
Also you stated the snake has not had a bowel excretion but is urinating. This is what they do typically if they are storing the fat and nutrients they will not excrete waste to insure they have enough to get through the winter months.
Even though mine stopped eating in October and show no indications of weakness or discharge or drainage as in would be an indication of a respiratory infection or viral or bacterial infection, and they don't start accepting food around the beginning of April then I show concern but have never had to take any to the vet.
Definitely any snake newly being introduced to anyones collection should be quarantined for the other snakes health.
Also, it's not uncommon for a snake trying to find a moderate temperature to rest in to get on top of the hide box. I have two that do it it's their way of not being too warm and confined, but to be out where there is some air flow that still keeps them warm but also allows them air circulation around them.
