Won't eat

valid · 03-23-13, 03:52 PM

So my milk has not eaten since the 2nd.
It doesn't look bad, but still ... Is it bad for the snake to not eat for that long?

I have tried live,
I have tried frozen
I have tried scented frozen,
I have tried braining -
the snake seems to avoid the food like a plague.

Freebody · 03-23-13, 04:36 PM

snakes can go months and months with out eating, as long as you can see its not starting to lose weight, then the snake will be fine. it may be going into a shed, some snakes wont eat during shedding.

RyanReptile · 03-23-13, 04:39 PM

I don't think you have anything to worry about many snakes have known to go months without food. That being said has there been any changes in temperature in the enclosure and what are the conditions in the cage. There is also a possibility that it could be caused by the breeding season.

rmfsnakes32 · 03-23-13, 05:07 PM

How old is your snake? I had a milk that did not eat for 6 months then when he did he ate like a champ after that.

Lankyrob · 03-23-13, 06:19 PM

I am now well into month five of my gtp not eating, he still looks healtyh and is as active as gtps get, its nothing to worry about unless you have other concerns apart from the feeding.

Deva · 03-24-13, 09:41 AM

My little milk snake went for two months without eating while I was changing her from live to frozen/thawed pinkies.

Then one day she ate and over a year later is eating like a champ frozen thawed hopper mice. It doesn't hurt them to go without food for quite a long time.

jarich · 03-24-13, 01:58 PM

How often are you trying to feed though? And are you handling the snake? Is this a new snake? Sounds like it might be new to you (sorry if that assumption is wrong) and just settling in. Definitely should let it be and dont try feeding again for a week or two, just in case it is stressed out for some reason. Make sure your temps are good and it has lots of hiding places. Dont handle it if you dont absolutely have to until it starts to eat regularly again.

valid · 03-24-13, 02:16 PM

I've had it for 2 weeks now (They recorded the last feedig on the 2nd, was not in my care at that point) - I don't Hold it all that often and did not hold it for a week after getting it. Apart from moving it into it's enclosure.

I tried feeding it 3 different days last week just to see if it would take. It seems to be coming out like it is hungry, but if put food in the enclosure at all, it moves to the compete opposite end and avoids it. Even when I leave it in there for a few hours and leave the area.

I won't try feeding it again for another week, just to let it calm .. and I would not really have tried this week if it had not been acting like it was hungry.

I am sure I am freaking out more than the snake is. I would just like to see it eat at least once so I am not afraid it is going to starve. (I know that's unlikely - it's just me)

It does not look skinny by any means, not has it acted abnormal when I have gotten it out (Aside from the occasional visit by my cats / it is not a fan )

Terranaut · 03-24-13, 08:41 PM

Yup offer food weekly but not any more than that. Do not handle and do not worry. Normal snake behavior. Like others said ,wait a few months before any worry.