Depression! Help!

ScalelessTime · 02-22-15, 12:43 PM

My gopher snake, Aphrodite, refuses to drink her water. It gets to the point I have to MAKE her drink my putting her nose in the water. She will only drink then. Plus whenever there is a hide in her cage, she rarely ever comes out. When I pick her up to take her out she is ice cold. Idk what's wrong. Even her eating habits are strange. She's been like this ever since I got her from her previous owner. When I feed her, I have to lay it on her or somewhere close to her and wait an hour. Unlike my cal king who eats immediately, she takes her time and instead of eating two rats, she now eats only one. Is it the winter or something wrong with her? The good thing is that she had a healthy shed so she has the proper nutrition, just not the normal habits like eating, drinking, and sunbathing. I'm getting even more worried.

PatrickT · 02-22-15, 12:51 PM

She is cold when her environment is cold. Why don´t you leave her alone and look what happens? Some snakes don´t drink much. You stress her alot.

ScalelessTime · 02-22-15, 01:07 PM

I have done that. That's why I am getting worried. I use to handle her a lot, then I stopped handling he to see what happens, and she's about the same. She's not a very active snake....but she is very sweet, though.

**Minkness** · 02-22-15, 01:08 PM

It's probably just the winter hibernation setting in. Unless she's loosing alot of weight, I wouldn't worry too much. =)

ScalelessTime · 02-22-15, 01:26 PM

I got her before winter was setting in. I got her near the end of summer when schools were starting back up. She's been the same this whole time.

**EL Ziggy** · 02-22-15, 05:00 PM

What are her temps and humidity like? I've have only seen any of my snakes drink a couple of times. Is she losing weight? You say she's eating so that's good. Is she pooping and shedding? How old is she? Lots of snakes are slowing down with the cooler temps and breeding season. My bulls are a little more active than my kings right now but they're all less active than they normally are during warmer months. If your husbandry is dialed in and she's not showing any obvious signs of illness I wouldn't worry at all.

pet_snake_78 · 02-22-15, 06:03 PM

Unless you're watching your snakes around the clock, I think it's going to be rare to actually see them drinking. If you're really curious, why not hook up a webcam and capture the feed. Then you can fast forward through the video until you finally see your snake drinking. That's the only way I can think of to know for sure how often a snake drinks.

ScalelessTime · 02-23-15, 09:10 AM

All of your guys's comments are reassuring. Since it is winter right now, I will only watch her. I'm getting ready to feed her now. Hopefully she will eat a full meal like normal. If not, she will just eat one at least. Thank you.

SnoopySnake · 02-23-15, 09:26 AM

Some snakes also just won't take two. Maybe instead of two she would prefer one larger prey item? As far as drinking goes, she may just be doing it late at night when you're sleeping. If she's been this way since you got her I'm going to guess that's just how she is.. if you have an IR temp gun you could check her temp and that might help put your mind at ease about her being cold.

ssshane · 02-23-15, 12:10 PM

What type of heat are you using? (try and be specific) Do you know the temps on each end of the enclosure? What size is the enclosure? Did the snake come with its feedings recorded?

ScalelessTime · 02-24-15, 07:13 PM

She's only cold when she hides away in her hide. When she is in the corner of her cage just sitting there she's at the perfect temperature. I use plant lights for my reptiles. They are cheaper and work just as well.

D Grade · 02-25-15, 04:38 AM

Im against using heat lamps for Colubrids. Id recommend getting a heat pad and dialing in a nice 85-86F hotspot on one side of the tank.

**Aaron_S** · 02-25-15, 08:20 AM

1. Are you using multiple hides? One on the hot side and one on the cool side. This way the snake can feel secure while still being at optimal temperatures.

2. Double check all husbandry including temperatures. Sometimes our instruments break and we don't realize it.

3. Would you like it if I came up to you and dropped buckets of water over your head after telling me you weren't thirsty? Don't do that to the snake. Snakes very rarely drink water if they are healthy and husbandry is correct.

These animals have been doing this far longer than you or I have been alive and do not need us to to tell them when to drink water. They hatch ready to kill, fully knowing how to hunt and what is food. You are giving yourself too much credit for the care of this animal.

ScalelessTime · 02-26-15, 01:47 PM

I will do as you suggest and see how it goes.

jossh27 · 02-26-15, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D Grade

Im against using heat lamps for Colubrids. Id recommend getting a heat pad and dialing in a nice 85-86F hotspot on one side of the tank.

i have never seen a heat pad with a temperature setting... aren't they generally just plug and go? how to you dial in a set temp without another heat source?