My CA king hasn't eaten for 3 weeks

[Kettennatter]

I never thought I'd have to write this about my adult CA king snake, especially since he had a feeding response that would it make him hard to handle. But he has mellowed out over the last couple of month to where I could handle him with ease. Unfortunately, his appetite has decreased also, to where he hasn't eaten for 3 wks now.

His enclosure is unchanged, with about 88F for a high and 67F at a very low. Humidity about 60 percent, largely because he is prone to making a mess. He either hides in a hide on the warm side or slides under newspaper. The setup is unchanged.

The snake is still very active, responds to me walking up to the enclosure, and does not show any signs of sickness or impaction. While the appetite of my other snakes make decrease oh so slightly with the season, this guy's appetite has fallen off to where it now starts to concern me.

I'm thinking about switching back to live mice to get him started again.

[KORBIN5895]

How old is he?

I wouldn't worry to much at the three week mark. If it was three months then yeah I might worry but not right now. It could just be the shortened days making him avoid eating as his body is telling him it is time to brumate soon.

[shaunyboy]

How old is he?

I wouldn't worry to much at the three week mark. If it was three months then yeah I might worry but not right now. It could just be the shortened days making him avoid eating as his body is telling him it is time to brumate soon.

he's an adult mate (its in the first line of the post ;):D)

i would say breeding season has him off his food,also 3 weeks is nothing for a snake to go without eating,so i would'nt worry too much mate

cheers shaun:D

[KORBIN5895]

he's an adult mate (its in the first line of the post ;):D)

i would say breeding season has him off his food,also 3 weeks is nothing for a snake to go without eating,so i would'nt worry too much mate

cheers shaun:D

After my self imposed exile and kicking around other forums I have learned that people don't always know what they are talking about. Like the guy with the juvenile royal that was six years some people just need led.

My main reason for asking was to find out if this is the first season he was ready to breed. Also do you have any females?

[Kettennatter]

I bought him as an adult, so I'm not 100% sure about his exact age. He is about 5+ feet in length and doesn't grow in length at this point. And no, there are not any female king snakes around.

It could indeed be his first season, but I unfortunately would not know, as I own him for a little less than a year.

[shaunyboy]

After my self imposed exile and kicking around other forums I have learned that people don't always know what they are talking about. Like the guy with the juvenile royal that was six years some people just need led.


^^^^^
that's a fair point Kevin.....

i concede on this one mate :D

cheers shaun

[Kettennatter]

Anyhow, thanks a lot for the feedback. I will start worrying a little less and simply continue to look out for other signs and offer food at the established intervals.

[KORBIN5895]

Anyhow, thanks a lot for the feedback. I will start worrying a little less and simply continue to look out for other signs and offer food at the established intervals.

So the age is???

[Kettennatter]

So the age is???

I don't know the age of this guy. I have bought him as an adult snake, and not from the first owner.

[KORBIN5895]

Well then he probably was probably old enough to breed last season so it's probably something other.than that. Does he get lots of natural lighting?Do you have any females ?

[Kettennatter]

Well then he probably was probably old enough to breed last season so it's probably something other.than that. Does he get lots of natural lighting?Do you have any females ?

He gets mostly natural indirect light from a north-facing window. There are no female king snakes in my collection. I'm also wondering if the reduced amount of light may have something to do with it.

[Jlassiter]

He gets mostly natural indirect light from a north-facing window. There are no female king snakes in my collection. I'm also wondering if the reduced amount of light may have something to do with it.

Yes it does.....

[Kettennatter]

I guess I was close with my gut instinct. He struck within seconds after I offered him live prey.

[Jlassiter]

Robert Applegate and others describe your situation as having to "offering delicacy items" to induce feeding.

Many times a male will go off feeding during the Fall and even in the Spring just out of brumation but can be stimulated to feed again with these "treats."

Also, Gravid females can be enticed with smaller prey items or live prey items twhich give them necessary and advantageous calories that help with gestation and the amount of time it takes from pre egg laying shed to egg laying.

[Terranaut]

Given the savage feeding responce of my king I find it hard to believe some refuse to eat.

[MoreliAddict]

Do the temps in the cage fluctuate a lot? Are you using a thermostat?

Don't know how to interpret "about 88F for a high and 67F at a very low"...

[Kettennatter]

Robert Applegate and others describe your situation as having to "offering delicacy items" to induce feeding.

Many times a male will go off feeding during the Fall and even in the Spring just out of brumation but can be stimulated to feed again with these "treats."

Also, Gravid females can be enticed with smaller prey items or live prey items twhich give them necessary and advantageous calories that help with gestation and the amount of time it takes from pre egg laying shed to egg laying.

Thanks a lot for the detailed description. I had not heard the term "delicacy item" before.

[Kettennatter]

Do the temps in the cage fluctuate a lot? Are you using a thermostat?

Don't know how to interpret "about 88F for a high and 67F at a very low"...

Slight variances regarding where I measure with the temp gun and when I'm doing so in the thermostat cycle.

The lower end fluctuates 3-4 degrees between summer and winter due to changes in ambient temperature.