Suicide pact, hmmm...

you may be onto something, Jim.
My own theory involves the lack of a constantly available food source that closely mimics what they would naturally get. (Whatever THAT is...) Maybe they just don't adapt well to such a different feeding regimen than the constant nibbling they do in the wild, and eventually it takes its toll.
Mind you, if anyone has a chance to be feeding tiny amounts almost continually it would be yourself, wouldn't it?
