Snake not eating
Discussion
Before I go find a snake forum I thought I'd ask here to see if anyone could have a clue why a corn snake could stop eating?
In summary she's still drinking enough, and very mobile in and out of her house, but just doesn't appear interested in eating. I've asked at my local snake shop and they suggested that it could partly be "time of the year" and partly due to moving house in mid march.
Any ideas?
In summary she's still drinking enough, and very mobile in and out of her house, but just doesn't appear interested in eating. I've asked at my local snake shop and they suggested that it could partly be "time of the year" and partly due to moving house in mid march.
Any ideas?
Sheets Tabuer said:
About to shed her skin?
I was looking after a friends Corn snake and was told if it was within 3-5 days of her shedding she would generally not eat. Sure enough both times she refused food she moulted within 3 days. Give it a few days to see. I won't lie, the first time she didn't eat i was bricking it that she was going to starve and die within a few days. After some research it turns out they can live for a long time without food.
It can sometimes take them a little while to take to food again before and after a shed. Mine were gits for not eating after a shed, and any big stress like moving will probably have a compound effect on their stress levels. They're remarkably good at not eating much when they want to be, so don't get too worried just yet, but if she's still not taking in a few days it could be worth trying an alternative food.
Stu R said:
It can sometimes take them a little while to take to food again before and after a shed. Mine were gits for not eating after a shed, and any big stress like moving will probably have a compound effect on their stress levels. They're remarkably good at not eating much when they want to be, so don't get too worried just yet, but if she's still not taking in a few days it could be worth trying an alternative food.
This.Nightmare said:
time of year is actually very likely. My corn is lively as hell this time of year, every year (for the last 24!) and wont eat at all for at least 3 months. think it has other things on its mind....
how sre are you yours is a she?
Coming up to about that sort of time for mine.how sre are you yours is a she?
Only reason I think she's a she is that the shop where I got her from had already sexed her as a lady snake.
Hi Steve.
Just got Wilbur (our Ball Python!) to eat a mouse for the 1st time in 3 to 4 months of trying. As 'nightmare' said, it's the traditional 'mating' time of the year for them and Wilbur has 'fasted' like this for the last 12 years. (BTW, I thought we'd had ours for quite a long time, but we're clearly beginners compared to you, nightmare - 24 years is brilliant!).
Keep trying and it'll start eating soon.
Cheers, Jon
Just got Wilbur (our Ball Python!) to eat a mouse for the 1st time in 3 to 4 months of trying. As 'nightmare' said, it's the traditional 'mating' time of the year for them and Wilbur has 'fasted' like this for the last 12 years. (BTW, I thought we'd had ours for quite a long time, but we're clearly beginners compared to you, nightmare - 24 years is brilliant!).
Keep trying and it'll start eating soon.
Cheers, Jon
JONSCZ said:
Hi Steve.
Just got Wilbur (our Ball Python!) to eat a mouse for the 1st time in 3 to 4 months of trying. As 'nightmare' said, it's the traditional 'mating' time of the year for them and Wilbur has 'fasted' like this for the last 12 years. (BTW, I thought we'd had ours for quite a long time, but we're clearly beginners compared to you, nightmare - 24 years is brilliant!).
Keep trying and it'll start eating soon.
Cheers, Jon
Thats interesting as my royal has just gone funny and refused food for the last 4-6 weeks, which is usual as I've had him for 15 years and he is usually a good eater.Just got Wilbur (our Ball Python!) to eat a mouse for the 1st time in 3 to 4 months of trying. As 'nightmare' said, it's the traditional 'mating' time of the year for them and Wilbur has 'fasted' like this for the last 12 years. (BTW, I thought we'd had ours for quite a long time, but we're clearly beginners compared to you, nightmare - 24 years is brilliant!).
Keep trying and it'll start eating soon.
Cheers, Jon
The worst he's ever done is refuse a rat that I threw in before going away for the weekend. I could smell it as I approached the house upon my return. Took a few weeks to air the place out.
My royal and garter both take a break from feeding, every year. The garter will some times be more likely to eat if I chop the mouse up when frozen, and put it in a dish.
It does get annoying when your left with un-eaten mice and rats tho, luckily I've got another 3 snakes that are normaly quite happy to eat.
Fingers crossed for you that it eats soon, even tho it's a natural occurance, it always makes you feel at ease once they've eaten.
It does get annoying when your left with un-eaten mice and rats tho, luckily I've got another 3 snakes that are normaly quite happy to eat.
Fingers crossed for you that it eats soon, even tho it's a natural occurance, it always makes you feel at ease once they've eaten.
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