Snake not eating

[discgolfer37]

I bought a Nelson's Milk Snake for my son 2 weeks ago. We have been trying to feed it thawed pinky mice but it will not eat them. It is a little over a foot long and a 2019 hatchling. We have tried everything from braining to feeding in a separate smaller enclosure. We put it on a solid lid in the snakes tank and have left it there for several hours to wake up to it still being there. The snake is currently in a 40 gal vivarium with one side of the tank at 75-80 degrees and the other side of the tank between 80-85 degrees. Any help would be appreciated.

[Scubadiver59]

Other than my Hognose, my Pueblan Milk is my worst eater, refusing prey week after week. As long as the snake isn’t visibly starving, continue to leave the prey as usual.

What temp did you heat the prey up to, and how?

[craigafrechette]

How often are you offering food? Offering too often can stress the snake and lead to further refusals.

Also, be consistent with offerings. Feed at night, inside the enclosure.

I've been keeping snakes for almost 20 years and have never heard of braining being successful.

Feed inside the enclosure. Seperate feeding tubs are old school and proven counter productive over time.
There's literally ZERO benefit.
In fact, seperate feeding tubs can:
A) lead to refusals. Moving the snake = stress. Stress = refusal
B) lead to the snake regurgitating it's meal. Moving the snake = stress. Stress = regurge.
C) drastically increase your chances of being bitten.


Also, are you handling the snake at all? You should be refraining from any handling until the snake has eaten 3 consecutive without refusal.
You'll have plenty of time to handle the snake, making sure it's eating should be too priority.

Lastly, you may want to switch to a smaller enclosure for a while. The snake may not feel safe and secure in such a large enclosure. Many juvenile snakes do better starting in a smaller enclosure and upsizing once the animal outgrows the smaller one.

[discgolfer37]

We are thawing the pinky in the fridge, then placing it in a ziploc bag in water that is around 95° for 20 min

[discgolfer37]

We have not handled the snake at all since it hasn't eaten yet. We usually try to feed at night putting g the pinky on a lid I. The enclosure so she doesn't accidentally swallow the Aspen bedding in her enclosure. We had been offering everyday, but switched to every other day. Tried again this evening but she just slithers right past the pinky.

[Scubadiver59]

Only offer food every 5-7 days to stop wasting prey items. I feed my juveniles on that same schedule, and sub adults every 10-14 days.

Increase the temp to 98-102 degrees to mimic the actual body temp of mice/rats and see if that helps.

Get some tongs (Zoo Med stainless steel) and dance the feeders around in front of the snake to mimic live prey.

I usually feed my snakes at dusk or early night, not during the full light of day. If it’s after 8pm (for me) and my tank lights shut off, I turn on a room light, but that’s it.

We have not handled the snake at all since it hasn't eaten yet. We usually try to feed at night putting g the pinky on a lid I. The enclosure so she doesn't accidentally swallow the Aspen bedding in her enclosure. We had been offering everyday, but switched to every other day. Tried again this evening but she just slithers right past the pinky.

[craigafrechette]

Ok, don't offer again for AT LEAST 5 days.

Unfortunately, you're stressing the crap out of that little snake. Leave the snake alone, no handling, no hanging out by the enclosure. Is there a dog or cat at home? If so, keep them away from the enclosure.

Let your new pet settle in and get acclimated to new surroundings.

[discgolfer37]

Thank you both for your help. We will definitely try all of the help and hopefully we will get some positive results. Getting worried since its been 3 weeks since she ate

[David339]

I'm having similar issues with a new pueblan milk snake. She's about a foot long. I've had her a little over a week. Turns out she was in shed when shipped to me and had problems shedding. I had to assist and she seems happier now. I've tried 2-3 times with f/t pinkies. When do you start worrying? She's been about a week without eating but was in shed. Sorry to jump on the post with my issue but we are having the same problems. I've tried braining one and leaving them in tank. I plan on trying again Friday, which will be 2 weeks. I'm pretty sure she was stressed after being force soaked and peeled last night.

[craigafrechette]

I'm having similar issues with a new pueblan milk snake. She's about a foot long. I've had her a little over a week. Turns out she was in shed when shipped to me and had problems shedding. I had to assist and she seems happier now. I've tried 2-3 times with f/t pinkies. When do you start worrying? She's been about a week without eating but was in shed. Sorry to jump on the post with my issue but we are having the same problems. I've tried braining one and leaving them in tank. I plan on trying again Friday, which will be 2 weeks. I'm pretty sure she was stressed after being force soaked and peeled last night.


It's only been a week!!! Let the poor animal acclimate to it's new surroundings. Snakes can go MONTHS without eating.

I've literally never heard of braining working in almost 20 years.

You're stressing the crap outta that poor animal..
What the heck is a force soak and peel???

This is why it's important to RESEARCH ANIMALS BEFORE BRINGING THEM HOME.

I feel bad for these poor animals.

[David339]

It's only been a week!!! Let the poor animal acclimate to it's new surroundings. Snakes can go MONTHS without eating.

I've literally never heard of braining working in almost 20 years.

You're stressing the crap outta that poor animal..
What the heck is a force soak and peel???

This is why it's important to RESEARCH ANIMALS BEFORE BRINGING THEM HOME.

I feel bad for these poor animals.

Oh. I haven't been doing much with her to stress her. She was delivered in shed and I didn't realize. I guess this was why her shed was incomplete. I made that sound worse than it was. I had barely any water in a bucket. Warm water. I put her in and mostly supervised for about 10 min. She was about half shed. One spot was stuck pretty good where it had broke. I gently moved my finger across the wet skin and it just peeled off. Other than that one spot it pretty much came off like a glove. Afterward she was more active in her tank. I've seen her coiled up in the fake pothos but she was all out slithering through the fake vine. Other than that I haven't been trying to handle her or anything. My other snakes eat great and were on my feeding schedule within the first week. This is my first milk snake/kingsnake. That was my first braining... I tried on the second pinky attempt. My first attempt was the day I got her, she was interested for a minute but didn't bite. Now I'm waiting a week before trying again. I have 19 snakes all together atm. None of these snakes have had any trouble shedding or anything. My albino striped corn snake and garter snake hatchlings (also about a foot long) are in the exact same tank set up. I tried extra misting and gave her a few days to shed on her own before I assisted in shedding.

[Aaron_S]

It's only been a week!!! Let the poor animal acclimate to it's new surroundings. Snakes can go MONTHS without eating.

I've literally never heard of braining working in almost 20 years.

You're stressing the crap outta that poor animal..
What the heck is a force soak and peel???

This is why it's important to RESEARCH ANIMALS BEFORE BRINGING THEM HOME.

I feel bad for these poor animals.

Man, I'm in the same boat. I've never seen braining work or heard of it working. Has to be a random myth from way back in the day that worked like once and became this "thing".

[craigafrechette]

Man, I'm in the same boat. I've never seen braining work or heard of it working. Has to be a random myth from way back in the day that worked like once and became this "thing".

Right??? I actually wonder how so many new keepers have heard of braining but not a thermostat...

[Aaron_S]

I need everyone who has a feeding problem with a new arrival to take a deep breathe. Relax, enjoy your new animal a little bit. Enjoy the excitement.

The suggestions here are all good. I strongly recommend just offering consistently and spread out. Every day or every other day is too much for the snake.

My most problematic feeder was the first hatchling I ever hatched. It didn't eat for 3 months! What did it was being patient and offering only once every 5 days, in the same manner. All the little tricks are not needed.

So be consistent in your offering and the time frame between attempts. If you begin to feel it's getting to be too long then switch to a live prey item before going to all the random tricks.

[craigafrechette]

i need everyone who has a feeding problem with a new arrival to take a deep breathe. Relax, enjoy your new animal a little bit. Enjoy the excitement.

The suggestions here are all good. I strongly recommend just offering consistently and spread out. Every day or every other day is too much for the snake.

My most problematic feeder was the first hatchling i ever hatched. It didn't eat for 3 months! What did it was being patient and offering only once every 5 days, in the same manner. All the little tricks are not needed.

So be consistent in your offering and the time frame between attempts. If you begin to feel it's getting to be too long then switch to a live prey item before going to all the random tricks.

fantastic reply top to bottom.

[David339]

Well I had done a bunch of research and that's where I read about braining. I only have about 2 years experience so... yeah I was worried she wasn't eating after a week like my other snakes. I tried to feed when the snake was delivered, a Friday. Tried again a week later. Then I tried this monday, which wasn't five days. I did not know they could go months without eating. That's why I came on here for help, from more experienced people. I read/research a lot contrary to what you believe. I won't para phrase things such as "soak and peel" again in the future. These care sheets and things you find online are not always as good as talking to an actual person. I mentioned the shed because I know they don't usually go for food during that time. Was I wrong to assist in shedding? I had her for a week and a half and she was in shed(i know this is about a 2 week process but i don't know how long she was in shed before arriving) all that time before I did and I can assure you I was gentle. Temps are 90 at basking side and around 75 on the cool side. I have temperature gauges, I try not to write a novel for every post. Try to be understanding of us less experienced handlers and teach us something instead of assuming the worst.

[Aaron_S]

Right??? I actually wonder how so many new keepers have heard of braining but not a thermostat...

Good news is thermostats are quite common and becoming more common.

Well I had done a bunch of research and that's where I read about braining. I only have about 2 years experience so... yeah I was worried she wasn't eating after a week like my other snakes. I tried to feed when the snake was delivered, a Friday. Tried again a week later. Then I tried this monday, which wasn't five days. I did not know they could go months without eating. That's why I came on here for help, from more experienced people. I read/research a lot contrary to what you believe. I won't para phrase things such as "soak and peel" again in the future. These care sheets and things you find online are not always as good as talking to an actual person. I mentioned the shed because I know they don't usually go for food during that time. Was I wrong to assist in shedding? I had her for a week and a half and she was in shed(i know this is about a 2 week process but i don't know how long she was in shed before arriving) all that time before I did and I can assure you I was gentle. Temps are 90 at basking side and around 75 on the cool side. I have temperature gauges, I try not to write a novel for every post. Try to be understanding of us less experienced handlers and teach us something instead of assuming the worst.

Sorry I wasn't taking a shot at you for trying the braining method. You did what you thought was right by doing research. Which is what you should have done. You've taken the correct steps in ensuring you have a healthy snake, you haven't seen the results you're looking for but you've done your best and I can't fault that.

Anyway, that aside, assist in shedding isn't bad. I don't know how you did it but what I do if I somehow have a bad shed is first I just really wet down the substrate and see if in a day the snake does it on it's own. If not, then I'll use a damp wash cloth and allow the snake to just slither through my hand/washcloth and get the skin off on it's own. When they get really tough I have other methods but usually these work wonders. To avoid having to assist, you can supply your snake with a moist/humid hide or really spray down the enclosure during the shed cycle.

As for feeding, just keep being consistent and if you feel the need try a live prey item. Use a smaller one like a pinky or fuzzy without it's eyes open so you can leave it overnight and it not be an issue in hurting your snake.

If you want to ensure you've covered your bases double check your husbandry, ensure your temps are where you believe them to be and check the instruments you're using to check them to ensure they are working correctly. More than once someone has used a broken thermometer and not known it!

[David339]

Thanks. I had supervised soaked her and very gently rubbed my finger over the peeling spots. One spot was stuck bad, the rest peeled off like a glove. She had successfully shed her head but still had shed stuck on the last half of her body. I gave her at least 3 days at that point with extra misting and she wasn't shedding the rest off with any success so I assisted then. I know my touch is gentle, I raised up little neonate dekay's this year. You were very helpful in all your comments and I thank you for that. Someone else was going straight to "poor animals" and such instead of trying to be helpful. Also they didn't have all the details to jump to those conclusions. Not looking to argue or anything of the sort, I was just asking they try to teach someone better instead of acting that way.

My apricot pueblan milk snake seems to be doing great so far. She's very active in tank as she should be after shedding now. She doesn't scurry off or anything like that when I'm in the room. Hopefully she will eat tomorrow(7 days from last attempt). I have some baby tree frogs I might try if she doesn't go for the f/t pinky.

[Anyafoxx]

You're trying too hard. Snakes won't deliberately starve themselves to death, and can go months without eating.
Leave the snake alone for about a week, and then try again with a very warm (body temperature warm) mouse.
Use tongs, and see if it will eat.
If not, wait another week, try again.
If it still won't eat after about 3 weeks, try a live prey.
My guy is a picky eater who will turn his nose up at a f/t, but the second you plop a live pinkie in his deli cup, it's gone.


If you just CAN'T stomach the thought of live prey, you can try putting the snake in a deli cup, (lid on with small airholes), and leave it in the dark for a few hours with the f/t, or you can also rub a f/t on a live rodent and scent it, or even the bedding of a live rodent or I have also heard lizards or even tuna, but no 100% confirmation on the tuna thing.


If you do use the deli cup method, set it inside the enclosure, and once it's done, remove the lid and allow it to crawl out of it's own accord to avoid regurgitation and added stress.


it's frustrating when your pet won't eat, by nature, we WANT them to eat, but with snakes, you can mother hen them to much and actually cause them to not want to eat, so just let it chill and learn where it's own safe zones are at.


Snakes live a long, long time, you have plenty of years to bind with your snek!

[David339]

You're trying too hard. Snakes won't deliberately starve themselves to death, and can go months without eating.
Leave the snake alone for about a week, and then try again with a very warm (body temperature warm) mouse.
Use tongs, and see if it will eat.
If not, wait another week, try again.
If it still won't eat after about 3 weeks, try a live prey.
My guy is a picky eater who will turn his nose up at a f/t, but the second you plop a live pinkie in his deli cup, it's gone.


If you just CAN'T stomach the thought of live prey, you can try putting the snake in a deli cup, (lid on with small airholes), and leave it in the dark for a few hours with the f/t, or you can also rub a f/t on a live rodent and scent it, or even the bedding of a live rodent or I have also heard lizards or even tuna, but no 100% confirmation on the tuna thing.


If you do use the deli cup method, set it inside the enclosure, and once it's done, remove the lid and allow it to crawl out of it's own accord to avoid regurgitation and added stress.


it's frustrating when your pet won't eat, by nature, we WANT them to eat, but with snakes, you can mother hen them to much and actually cause them to not want to eat, so just let it chill and learn where it's own safe zones are at.


Snakes live a long, long time, you have plenty of years to bind with your snek!

She's a new snake so I'm just over worrying her eating. I have other snakes that went to eating f/t for me so well. This is my first animal that won't eat. I was going to attempt to feed her tonight but she went into hiding before I had the f/t ready. Got my smaller garter snake on f/t's and off worms though, so it didn't go to waste. I'll try again when I can catch her out. She seemed interested before but didn't bite. I've only tried a few times and then realized she was in shed. I waited a week. Waited 3 days, should've waited longer. Today was a week from then. She was shipped to me in shed. I didn't get to see her first going into shed. The only handling I did was to assist her shedding when she wasn't getting it herself after several days plus extra misting.

[David339]

She finally ate. Tried a live pinky in a little cup in her tank. She didn't go for it. I left it in tank loose and walked in on her coiled around it later. I did get a chance with F/T monday but she didn't bite. She crawled over and under it and then danced around the front of the tank as if to mock me when I left it in the tank lol. Seems she wants more privacy. I don't hover over the tank but I will hang back in the room to see if she goes for it. I've seen her show interest before so I will just try giving her lots more space.