Spotted Off Feed

[SerpentLust]

Montey hasn't been eating for a month now. Her humidity was a little too low so I fixed that but she still won't eat...

I think it's because she's been intent on escaping lately. I don't know why. She hasn't escaped in two years. Then she successfully did it two days ago and she hasn't stopped trying since lol

So I don't think I should be concerned as of yet. There are no signs of illness. And I know she slows down her eating habits when winter rolls around. But she's never refused four meals in a row from me.

Any ideas?

Jenn

[python_guy85]

When a snake goes off it's food, there are a few possible reasons why.

The first reason being it's enclosure. Have you made any changes to it lately such as taken away a particular hiding spot it liked? Have you moved the enclosure into a area in the house that gets more traffic moving past it that may cause the snake stress?

The second reason is housemates, although you only have one spotted python, housing snakes together can cause some problems. If the cage is not big enough to accomodate the snakes correctly, fights can break out between housemates over such things as hide spots, basking spots and more dominate snakes bullying younger, more timid snakes.

You also mentioned that you checked Montey for illnesses. Have you only checked for external parasites such as mites and ticks, or have you checked for internal parasites such as worms and canker. If possible, get a stool sample and have it checked out by a vet, they can tell you if the snake is carrying worms or not. As for canker, you can check for that. Canker will appear as a white-yellowish cheesy substance that appears around the snakes mouth region. Canker can cause things like not allowing the mouth to fully close and destroying teeth and gums. Canker isn't to be mixed up with a similar looking substance that is found in severe respiratory infections. If any illness is found, consult a vet immediately.

Another possible reason may be a change in routine. Have you done any thing different lately in terms of food offering. If not, perhaps you could try "braining", this is where a hole is poked in the head of prey to expose some brain and juices ( yes it sounds disguisting but is a popular method for troublesome feeders).

As you mentioned in your question, winter is arriving and your snake may be wanting to go into an earlier hibernation due to temperatures getting colder faster in you area.

If the snake is not losing any significant mass and it's health isn't deteriorating, i wouldn't worry, but if it makes you feel more comfortable, go see a vet who may be able to assist Montey.

I hope this has been of some help, my spotted python is a great eater and always has been. However, i own a spotted python with scientific name "Antersia maculosis". I think there is two pythons with the name spotted python which can get confusing. One is Australian and one is American. Hope all goes well :)

[SerpentLust]

Yeah Montey's usually a great eater too. She's Antaresia Maculosis from Australia aswell.

I didn't change her cage, her tank is a 30 Gallon, she's in my snake room which is secluded except for me coming in and out to check on my snakes.

I did, however, recently purchase a Mexi Black Kingsnake who is now in that room aswell. However, I have housed other snakes in the same room with no problems.

I can't bring her to a vet because there are none here. I have called arouna and asked simple questions that they didn't know the answers to. I would have to drive 3 hours to see a vet, and if she's just off feed, that's really not a vet thing as of yet.

But yeah she's still active, healthy, etc. So I'm hoping it's just the whole winter chill.

Jenn

[Jeff_Favelle]

I think there is two pythons with the name spotted python which can get confusing. One is Australian and one is American

LOL! There are NO pythons in the Americas (North OR South), let alone Spotted Python. LOL!!!!!

[SerpentLust]

LOL Thanks Jeff, I wasn't sure that he was right at all...lol

Jenn

[foman]

What do ya mean Jeff I got three python's.lol

[gonesnakee]

I would contribute it to the season change myself, as I have lots of various Pythons that have been getting finicky about food for over the last month now. It's not just the Pythons, but alot of Colubrids as well. They can sense the changing of the seasons no matter how much we manipulate their enviroments it seems. Unless your snake is becoming thin & lethargic as a result of not eating, I wouldn't worry about it. Most people don't realize that snakes can go for extremely long periods without eating with no problems at all. For an example right away all my Colubrids will not be fed for approx 4 weeks & then will be put down into burmation for 3 months & then brought up for a week or 2 before being offered food. Thats 4-4.5 months every year that they don't eat anything. Some of the males go off food while breeding is happening too, another 4-6 weeks. So some of my males only eat for 6 months of the year, every year, no problems. The last thing a nonhungry, nonsuffering snake needs is the stress of a force feeding for no reason. Make sure that the snake is actually suffering, not just fasting & if you do take the steps to assist/force feed it, make sure that you have a qualified individual do it for you if/when the time is right. Good Luck Mark I.