Ah, the rainy season, when the skies weep endlessly, your laundry refuses to dry and your beloved gecko stares at their dinner like it’s a prank. Why? Because reptiles are ectotherms. Their body temperature and metabolism depend on the environment. When temperatures drop, so does their appetite.
On today's Wellness Wednesday, let’s bust myths and learn how to keep your reptile happy, healthy and safely fed during cooler, damp weather.
How Does This Happen?
Unlike mammals, reptiles don’t generate their own heat. They bask under heat lamps or in sunny spots to warm up. During the rainy season, ambient temperatures drop, humidity rises and sunlight disappears behind clouds for days.
This cool environment slows their metabolism. Think of it as trying to run a marathon after being dunked in ice water, you wouldn’t want to eat either.
Why Does This Happen?
Lower temperatures = slower digestion.
When your reptile is cold:
- Food sits longer in the gut.
- Risk of incomplete digestion increases.
- This can cause gut impaction or regurgitation.
Some species enter brumation (a winter-like dormancy) during prolonged temperature drops, naturally reducing food intake.
For example, my first rescue turtle, Odo, refused pellets for two weeks during Nigeria’s peak rains. Panic set in until I realised: her enclosure temperature had dropped to 20°C overnight, far below optimal. A quick fix with an overhead ceramic heat emitter and she was munching again like a tiny dinosaur.
What Can Pet Parents Do?
- Monitor enclosure temperature: Maintain species-appropriate basking spots, even when room temperature drops. Use reliable digital thermometers to check both warm and cool zones.
- Use thermostatically controlled heaters: Ceramic heat emitters or under-tank heat mats keep reptiles warm without disturbing day-night light cycles. Make sure heaters don’t come in direct contact with your pet to avoid burns.
- Adjust feeding frequency: Offer smaller meals spaced further apart to match reduced metabolism. For example, if you feed every 3 days in warm weather, extend to every 5 -7 days in cooler spells.
- Avoid feeding cold reptiles: Always ensure they’re fully warmed up before offering food to aid digestion.
- Monitor appetite patterns: Some reptiles naturally reduce feeding in cooler weather. Document changes but watch for other illness signs.
- Maintain proper humidity: Excessive dampness can cause respiratory issues. Monitor humidity with a hygrometer; adjust with dehumidifiers or by increasing ventilation.
When Should You Call A Vet?
Seek veterinary help if:
- Your reptile has not eaten for an unusually long period for their species - check your species’ normal fasting tolerance.
- There is regurgitation or vomiting.
- You observe lethargy, bloating, or abnormal stool.
- There is persistent refusal to bask despite low temperatures.
What Will The Vet Do?
Your vet will:
- Check temperature gradients in the enclosure.
- Assess hydration status - reptiles often drink less in cold weather.
- Conduct faecal exams to rule out parasites or infections.
- Provide supportive care or recommend dietary adjustments.
- Guide brumation decisions: Some species benefit from controlled brumation, others do not. The vet will advise based on species and individual health status.
How Can You Prevent This Problem?
Set up your reptile enclosure with seasonal changes in mind.
- Invest in thermostats and thermometers.
- Adjust heating devices before the rainy season starts.
- Offer basking spots that maintain recommended temperatures even on the coldest days.
- Ensure humidity stays within species-safe limits, rains can spike humidity, predisposing to respiratory issues.
Prognosis
Most reptiles bounce back quickly with proper temperature regulation. Long-term cold exposure, however, can lead to serious health risks, including gut impaction and immune suppression. rapid intervention prevents complications.
Zoonotic Implications
Cold-stressed reptiles have weaker immune systems, which can lead to increased shedding of bacteria like Salmonella. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling your pet or cleaning their habitat, especially during times when they’re eating less or feeling unwell. It’s also important to closely supervise children when they handle reptiles during these colder periods, as the risk of Salmonella transmission is higher.
Personal Story: Odo, My Rainy Season Rebel
I’ll never forget my first rainy season with Odo, my mud turtle. I freaked out thinking she’d starve herself to death. Turns out, I was the clueless one. Once I adjusted her ceramic heat emitter to maintain 28°C, she resumed splashing for food like a toddler in a puddle while glaring at me as if to say, “Finally, human, warmth befitting a reptilian queen”. Lesson learnt: reptiles are nature’s ultimate weather barometers.
Over to you
Tell me: Does your reptile reduce feeding during the rainy season? How do you adjust care? Share in the comments below or DM me on Instagram (@thevetvortex) for tips tailored to your species!
Stay tuned next Wellness Wednesday for more season-smart pet care tips. Until then, stay vortexy, keep your scaly friends warm, your human toes dry and your reptile parenting anxiety-free.
Check out previous post - The Future of Microchip Tech in Veterinary Medicine