iHerp Answers: Having feeding issues with 2 of my corn snakes? The last 2 or 3 times I've tried to feed them they just won't eat. Any suggestions?

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Having feeding issues with 2 of my corn snakes? The last 2 or 3 times I've tried to feed them they just won't eat. Any suggestions?

Posted By:

anjeanettecorns28

The last 2 or 3 attempts with feeding my corn snakes have not been successful for some reason. And I'm not sure why. Now, the three I did have problems with were Diamond-my oldest corn, then my second and third oldest Zoe and Bindi. Although I did finally get Bindi to eat for me on Dec.22. He still was acting strangely, as if he didn't really want to eat but just wanted to play with his food item and then finally decided to eat it. But Diamond and Zoe have not eaten anything in awhile mostly Diamond who has not eaten in 26 days. And Zoe who hasn't eaten in 10 days. I know it might not sound like a very long time but My snakes don't usually wait this long to eat. I mean they had no interest in the f/t weaned mouse I tried to feed them at all. I was wondering if it's because of the big changes outside with the weather getting much colder that they might not feed as often or at all? Should I just keep trying to feed them after 3-5 days to see if they will take a mouse for me or should I not even bother with it? I just need some tips and or suggestions. Thanks everyone!

Also, wanted to wish you all on Iherp a very Merry Christmas and New Year!


Points:	150
Topics:	General Health , Feeding
Tags:	Elaphe, Feeding, Guttata, Refusal
Species:	Other Colubrids > Other Colubrids > Elaphe guttata guttata
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Accepted Answer

12/24/2009 10:00:08 AM

FyreFocks

If you want to offer food every 7 days, thats fine. But its winter time and they can feel it. When it warms up in your area then they should come around. This really is nothing to worry about.

Member Comment

12/24/2009 10:01:09 AM

Krestie Kate

Have your temps dropped at all this winter? They may be going into a burmation. My ball always stops eatting around this time of the year.

Member Comment

12/24/2009 6:10:10 PM

Lashman

Yeah, sound like they're going, hey it's winter! Even with proper temps they are much better at sensing seasons than us. And if eating good before and healthy I would not worry. Also remember this time of year to double check temps and humidity as when using heaters in house and cold weather outside the air drys out!

Member Comment

12/24/2009 10:35:12 PM

shellboa

As long as you don't see any other issues besides not being hungry than I wouldn't worry too much about them not eating. It is pretty normal around this time of year for them to be not so hungry.

Member Comment

12/25/2009 8:11:32 PM

ElitePetStylists

When was the last time they shed? Could it be possible they are going to shed soon?

Member Comment

12/25/2009 8:26:50 PM

Triangle Reptiles

IT'S WINTER!!!!!!!!!

Assisted Answer

12/26/2009 6:14:41 PM

MegF

How old are the snakes? I've never had snakes go off food due to the time of year since their temps are always kept up (unless I'm brumating or cycling) but I have had adult males go off food for breeding season. While this is early, I had a male that would go off food in January and not eat again until March if I didn't brumate him. Your snakes should be able to go for a long time without food though, so don't panic. Are they co-habitated? If so, separate them. It might be a stress issue. 10 days is nothing for a snake though and most of my snakes aren't even fed regularly for anywhere from 16-28 days. They all have good feeding responses though and rarely refuse food. You might be offering to often as well. Try waiting a week or two before offering again. Feed in the evening just after dark and make sure the food is good and hot.

Author Comment

12/27/2009 4:08:35 PM

anjeanettecorns28

Thanks for all the feed back. I did finally get one of them to eat on Christmas evening. Now it's just my 3 1/2 yr old corn snake that hasn't eaten in about a month now. She's never gone off feed before because it's been winter time but maybe it's because I have her in not such a good spot in my bedroom which is by a window. I need to switch things around in my room, although all my walls are outside walls in my bedroom except one which is by my bedroom door and it's got the vent on the floor blowing hot air through it most of the day and night so I am not sure if that would be much better of a spot to put her. I did mist all their cages some last night to get the humidity up a little but the temps are all good. The humidity has been about 30-40% in all their cages. I don't know what the min humidity should be? But I will keep misting once a day to keep it a little higher.

Member Comment

12/27/2009 5:26:44 PM

MegF

You don't need high humidity for cornsnakes. As long as they are shedding well, it's right. Perhaps increase the humidity when they go into blue if you've had shedding issues in the past, but otherwise I wouldn't spray at all.

Member Comment

12/28/2009 1:32:58 AM

vonnick52

It sounds like you are worrying entirely too much and you are ignoring your snakes natural reactions to the cold weather, and that is to stop feeding and brumate. The humidity level isn't going to affect how an adult corn snake feeds, it might affect shedding....but not it's appetite. Those snakes are SUPPOSED to be in a big hole somewhere with their body's turned wayyyy down and they aren't eating until it gets warm again.

As for the venting/window near the cage, don't you have a thermometer of some sorts that you use to monitor cage temps? If you insist on preventing them from following their natural course, you should at least ensure the temps are spot on.

Member Comment

12/28/2009 5:36:16 AM

MegF

FWIW: I've never had a cornsnake go off food seasonally. the only seasonal effects on feeding is breeding age males going off food for the breeding season. Since temps and lighting don't change all that much, there are really few cues for domestic snakes to brumate and there are places where they never brumate...southern regions of Florida for example. I still wouldn't worry much. If they are over a year and in good condition, they can go literally months and months without appreciable weight loss. My males would quit eating for 3 months at a time and be crawling all over the place and only lose a total of 50 grams. This was before he was old enough to breed, but obviously was looking for love anyway :)

Author Comment

12/28/2009 3:48:04 PM

anjeanettecorns28

The temps inside their cages are good. I know what my temperture gage reads. And although I do not keep the temperture gages on the actual bedding in their hides like most people seem too do. I know my temps are right on where they need to be. I've checked them over and over again and they seem to be just fine. I know they are 10-12 degrees higher then what my tempture actually reads which is right where they need to be. Since I keep the gages on the lower side of the back of the glass in their enclosures I know it's about 10-12 degrees warmer then what it says. So I know I'm good on that. The humidity levels from what I gather are also good. Diamond my oldest girl however, has always had shedding issues which I do not know what to do about. I always mist inside her enclosure when she is in the blue stage and give her some spungum moss in her warm hide but it doesn't seem to do much for her. She is healthy in every other way since I have taken her to the vet a few months ago they told me she was healthy. She just has bad sheds. I won't try to feed them any for awhile since I do know now that because of winter time it's okay for them to go off feed for period of time.

Assisted Answer

1/9/2010 4:58:01 AM

titus

I've seen snakes that go off feed for no aparant reason more than a few times. Without illness, temp drop, winter, or being gravid. A 4-8 week pause in eating is normal now and again more so with older snakes. Should it last any longer than that I would look into Illness being a cause so long the temps. are not an issue.

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