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Q:
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How long does a mating season fast usually last? Any suggestions to get my snake to eat?
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In Relation To:
Lars
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My adult male corn-snake, Lars, hasn't eaten in 58 days. He was very content hiding in his favorite hide through the winter months, not exploring his tank much. However, he ate very well up until 2 months ago, when he began refusing food. He's also become very active in his tank. The time of year, opinions from others, and his behavior all lead me to believe he's on a hunger strike for breeding season. He seems in good health, is drinking fine, and isn't losing weight rapidly or anything. Though, because I love my pet I'm concerned about the duration of his fasting. He's shed, but didn't retain his eyecaps. I've tried leaving him in a container with the mouse overnight, braining it, etc, to no avail. I try feeding him once a week (he was on an every 2 week schedule). Should I be concerned enough to seek a vets opinion and attention yet? Or is this a normal time frame for a male snake to fast during this time of year? I've been told by several people that its normal, but I can't help but worry. Also, about how long do these fasts usually last? And any suggestions to entice him to eat?
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Accepted Answer
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3/23/2011 11:38:36 AM
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joe farah
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He's fine and yeah, it's just the mating season off-feed thing probably. So long as he isn't losing weight there is no need for concern. If you really want peace of mind in that regard, you can go to office max or something and get a scale for weighing mail to make sure he isn't losing too much weight in the coming weeks. I'm sure he's fine though. Right now is the prime mating season for corn snakes in the wild and it's no surprise he's responding to the lengthening days just like his wild counterparts. That will end in the coming weeks and he'll take an interest in food again. Definitely no need for vet attention. I'd forcefeed something small before going the vet route, but there's no need to do that either. The snake is big and will be fine for a while...
What you should really do is get him a girlfriend! That's what he wants and needs!
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Assisted Answer
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3/23/2011 12:31:04 PM
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Miss Andrea
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+1 Joe
The python breeding season (which I'm more familiar with) is still in full swing, and I know colubrids have a later start. As long as he isn't excessivly skinny, I wouldn't worry about it. He'll eat when he needs to.
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Author Comment
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3/23/2011 2:19:19 PM
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visceralrepulsion
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I would love to breed him, unfortunately my female is just a hatchling, and I'm not familiar with anyone in my area who even has corn snakes, let alone wants to breed. Maybe I should post an ad on here to try and find him a lady-friend near by, haha. Thanks for your inputs. I'm going to leave this question open for a little while just to see what other tips I may get. =]
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Assisted Answer
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3/23/2011 2:53:09 PM
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shellboa
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+2 Joe, I wouldn't suggest finding him a girlfriend if you want him to eat any time soon because breeding him will prolong the fast. If he is super active like frantic even, you may need to check his temps. Roaming more than usual and fasting will stop soon. It has been pretty cold here still so mine are still in breeding mode but as soon as it starts warming up they just quit. I would wait to offer him food until he seems ready to eat your fingers (not really but usually you can tell). The scale is a good idea also. Other wise, unless he develops some other kind of serious symptom, all you can do is wait him out.
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Assisted Answer
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3/23/2011 3:11:11 PM
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Member Comment
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6/3/2013 2:23:10 PM
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Cenobite
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This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action. Recommended Action: Points awarded An administrator will select responses and assign points at their discretion. Original poster, please close this question out and assign points. If you have any further information in the resolution of your problem, please post it here so that others may learn from it.
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