snake not eating; should I be concerned?

airman_miller · 08-25-11, 08:57 PM

hey guys I ended up getting a kinsnake, and after a particularly rough time with shipping, it finally arrived monday. I waited until yesterday when i saw it prowling the cage at night to attempt to feed the snake, but it would not eat. I even brained it! The snake seemed interested(rapid flicking of the tongue),but nothing. I am trying again tonight with the cage covered. According to the person I purchased it from the snake has ate a total of 3 times, each including a f/t pinkie. If the snake was fed the day before it was shipped (i doubt it), it would be a week and a half since the last meal.

so should i be concerned or if it doesn't eat what is in there tonight just leave it alone for a week?

stephanbakir · 08-25-11, 09:04 PM

Snakes can go over a year without eating if they need to.

SSSSnakes · 08-25-11, 10:25 PM

Leave it alone for at least a week before you try to feed it. If it does not eat do not try to feed it every day or you will stress it out. Try feeding it every week and no sooner.

UwabamiReptiles · 08-26-11, 05:39 AM

SSSnakeS said it perfectly, when a snake is shipped it puts them through a lot of stress. Then on top of that they are put into a new environment so it usually takes time for them to get comfortable with everything. Even if they refuse food you really should wait a week before the next feeding attempt. Just make sure you have the right temps, humidity, etc. and once you get him to eat, he won't ever look back. Kingsnakes are great feeders, just be patient. Keep us posted.

airman_miller · 08-26-11, 06:26 AM

i know i shouldn't be concerned, but I let myself get that way. lol I will wait the week and report back with what happens.

airman_miller · 09-02-11, 08:10 PM

well tried to feed him tonight and no go. looked at it and left.

NennaMeerkat · 09-02-11, 08:17 PM

Has it been a week since you tried to feed last? Are the temperatures correct? Where is the snake's home located? Some snakes get stressed easy and thus if in a busy part of the house with a lot of "traffic" could keep it in a stressed state. How are you attempting to feed? If it has been a week since you last tried to feed have you left the snake completely alone other than scooping poop or refilling the water bowl?

airman_miller · 09-02-11, 08:58 PM

Ok I left the pinkie in the cage, snake hasn't came back out yet. it has been a week since i last attempted feeding. I will just describe my current setup and if you see anything wrong let me know.

*aspen bedding
*5 hides (3 on cool side, 2 on warm side)
*75 gallon tank
*only enter tank for water refilling.
*uth and ceramic heater on warm side. ceramic gets air temps to 86 with relative humidity around 40-50%. uth is on thermostat set to 85.
*cool side around 80 (normal house temp in summer)

here is my biggest concern with the setup:
*in the lowest-traffic area we have that can be maintained temperature wise(anywhere else and the room would be too hot or too cold during different seasons due to lack of central heating/air in those rooms. winter would not be a problem, just summer). 2 people pass by no more than 50 times a day. guests do not even come close to the tank.

and as for the snake:
*mex-mex kingsnake
*the snake is small; barely over a foot, if that (haven't measured, only estimation)
*wanders around tank every night starting around 8-10pm.
*have seen on multiple occasions drinking water
*normally stays on one side for most of the day. will move on occasion, but normally no more than once or twice
*first stayed completely hidden until night, now will stay out in open resting.
*does not seem aggressive, more passive
*does not run away when passing by tank. seems oblivious to outside activity.
*fairly active at night, not lethargic.

hope this helps. also, if there is anything else that could be helpful, let me know and I will provide with answer. I am really nervous about the whole thing, and would hate to get my first snake only to starve it to death.

also, if I had to get a live pinkie, where would I get it? there are no reptile stores nearby, only places like petsmart, petco, and petland. and this thing could only it a very small pinkie, nothing bigger than a couple days old.

airman_miller · 09-02-11, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NennaMeerkat

Has it been a week since you tried to feed last? Are the temperatures correct? Where is the snake's home located? Some snakes get stressed easy and thus if in a busy part of the house with a lot of "traffic" could keep it in a stressed state. How are you attempting to feed? If it has been a week since you last tried to feed have you left the snake completely alone other than scooping poop or refilling the water bowl?

answered, in order:

1. yes it has been a week
2. I have had quite the difficult time finding the exact temps for this variety of snake. i have set the temperature/humidity for the average kingsnake, which just happens to be the same temperature/humidity for san louis potosi, the region the snake comes from in the wild.
3. snake is located in the lowest traffic area that can accommodate for its required humidity/temps. there are other rooms would be more secluded, but those rooms are also upper 80's lower 90's. in the winter they would be 60 or lower. I took alot of time to decide where to put this tank, and there honestly no other place to put this tank that would be a safe adjustable temperature.i should also note that I can only adjust the temps to make it warmer in those other rooms(uth, ceramic heater), not colder.
4. I have attempted feeding by braining, by leaving in the tank overnight, and lightly moving mouse in general vicinity of the snake. the snake will get close to the pinkie, but not strike; the snake will just move slowly and calmly away. hopefully by next week i will have a lizard to scent the mice with.
5. I do my best to stay clear of the tank, and also make the other person who passes it does the same. the ONLY time the tank is opened is for attempted feedings and changing water.

lpbldg18 · 09-03-11, 04:37 AM

a 75 gallon tank?! For a kingsnake? That's quite large

SnakeyJay · 09-03-11, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpbldg18

a 75 gallon tank?! For a kingsnake? That's quite large

This may be the problem... sometimes the space will freak a snake out, no matter the number of hides. Have you tried feeding with no lights on, or enough so that you can just see? I find this helps with nervous eaters. Good luck.

marvelfreak · 09-03-11, 05:56 AM

With a snake that small and a cage that big i would set the snake in a plastic container (with air holes) then put the food in. Then just leave food and snake alone over night. (Never leave snake alone with live food.) Just be sure to set the container on or towards the warm side.

jhiggy69 · 09-03-11, 07:26 AM

it's starting to get tiresome ,hearing some people stating (confidently) that snakes can go a year .... in reality some cases its fine ( #1. your animal needs to be of good weight #2. needs to be in vary good health ) i dont thinks its healthy to feed only once a month (i here alot do this) let alone a YEAR!

airman_miller · 09-03-11, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakey-Jay-BRB

This may be the problem... sometimes the space will freak a snake out, no matter the number of hides. Have you tried feeding with no lights on, or enough so that you can just see? I find this helps with nervous eaters. Good luck.

I always attempt to feed in the dark.

airman_miller · 09-03-11, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhiggy69

it's starting to get tiresome ,hearing some people stating (confidently) that snakes can go a year .... in reality some cases its fine ( #1. your animal needs to be of good weight #2. needs to be in vary good health ) i dont thinks its healthy to feed only once a month (i here alot do this) let alone a YEAR!

i simply played that length without food to larger snakes like ball pythons. i am checking the snakes weight when i feed to see if it is getting too thin.