iHerp Answers: Why is my cornsnake still refusing to eat? It's been 5 weeks since his last meal.

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Why is my cornsnake still refusing to eat? It's been 5 weeks since his last meal.

Posted By:

the rowes

My 2 yr old snow cornsnake hasn't eaten in 5 weeks. We just moved last month, and on our 3rd day in the house he did eat a small live mouse. He typically eats one every 1-2 weeks. He has not eaten since October 3rd. I think the temperature in his tank is fine... his night light keeps the tank 72 degrees, and when the day light kicks on, it goes up to about 82. He did shed two weeks ago. We are giving him a chance to soak in a warm water bath daily per his old doctor's recommendation in the hopes to stimulate his digestion. Someone suggested he needs a UV light to stimulate his digestion, but we don't know much about it. I'm wondering if it's a parasite. I'm in the boonies and will have to take him on a roadtrip to get him checked out. Any suggestions before I do? His tankmate, another cornsnake, is doing well. Any help would be much appreciated!


Points:	150
Topics:	General Health , Feeding , Digestive
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

11/6/2008 11:10:04 PM

FyreFocks

It could be stress from the move. It could also be stress from having a tankmate, although i guess it shouldnt matter now if they have always lived together. How long has it been since it last defecated? You said youve been soaking him, but has he pooped for you at all? The only time ive seen an adult corn fast is during the brumation period.

Corn snakes dont need UV anything.

Author Comment

11/6/2008 11:26:51 PM

the rowes

Thanks for saving me the $$$ since I haven't bought said UV light yet. I did clean droppings out of the tank a few days ago, but i'm assuming it's the remains of the tankmate's last meal. I haven't actually seen him poop in at least 2 weeks. If this were Jeopardy, the answer would be 'What is brumation?'. So, what would the question be? This newbie needs more info please...

Member Comment

11/7/2008 12:43:29 AM

dalvers63

I usually keep my cornsnakes a bit warmer (high of 85-87) but if those are his temps and they haven't changed, I'd have to say it's the time of the year. If he's getting natural lighting then he's perfectly normal and getting ready for winter. You could put a light on him and set it for a 12hr cycle if you don't want him to brumate.

Otherwise, I'd weigh him once a month and then offer food. If he's hungry, he'll eat it. If he's not losing weight, don't worry about it and he'll eat when he's ready.

Member Comment

11/7/2008 3:07:16 AM

Mel4short

I have to agree with the time of year!! Frustrating time to feed snakes...they seem to feel/sense the season change. I've had several go off feed at Animal Trax, the pet shop I work at. Sometimes, although it's not the typical way we like to feed, a live, in the tank offering will do the trick. Take the tank mate out, of course(!), to try this. Like Deb said, he'll eat when he's ready! I have a BRB that went 8 months without eating...talk about frustrating!!!

Accepted Answer

11/7/2008 4:21:13 PM

JohnJohn

I agree. This sounds very normal at my house this time of year. I'm in Ohio and it's starting to get colder and the days are getting shorter. Many of my snakes start slowing down in October. I have a ball python that never eats a thing in the entire month of November and December. One of my male corns starts hiding under his newspaper and only comes out rarely in the winter months. He always eats one jumbo mouse a week the rest of the year, but hardly eats during Novenber and December. This is not at all unnatural. You should keep your eyes on him, but just be patient. Snakes can go months without food and it's really no problem.

Author Comment

11/7/2008 7:01:45 PM

the rowes

Thank you all for your input. I guess I'll just keep an eye on him and continue to try to feed him occasionally. Thanks!

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