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Q:
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Nix (corn snake) still not eating.
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In Relation To:
Nix [Snow]
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My corn snake Nix still is on his hunger strike. This is now 1 month and 2 weeks there's been no eating and no shedding as well. I keep getting different answers from snake owners regarding what to, how much to worry, how much not to worry. I'm desperate for answers. Us this hunger strike normal? Could he be sick? If he might be, what signs should I look for? Can a vet help? Can I use a pinkie pump if worse comes to worse? Help!
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Accepted Answer
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2/18/2012 12:15:57 AM
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MichiganHerps
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I wouldn't worry too much until you can see him starting to lose weight. It is also winter and they usually brumate during winter so that could be why. I would just keep attempting to feed every week and he will probably take it eventually. If he still won't eat and he is getting skinnier, then try other methods. Hope this helps
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Assisted Answer
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2/18/2012 12:22:45 AM
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Doomtrooper
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Pinkie Pumps are a last ditch effort , if used wrong you can kill your snake in a heartbeat .. They are a brutal meathod of feeding I would try force feeding him a mouse tail or mouse thigh if it came to that .. but if he looks healthy and isn'r shriveling away just triple check your husbandry and sooner or lare he will eat for you ...
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Assisted Answer
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2/18/2012 12:39:46 AM
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missmelly
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I wouldn't worry to much as long as cage temps and everything are normal. I don't usually brumate my corns but I have a couple that go on hunger strike for a month or so during winter anyhow.They don't usually shed during that time and are less active also. I just keep offering food every week until they take it. If he starts to lose weight and/or act really abnormally then start to worry. If you're really stressed about it you could check the inside of his mouth (Have someone show you how!) to make sure he doesn't have any broken teeth or mouth rot or anything like that.
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Assisted Answer
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2/18/2012 8:31:07 AM
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FyreFocks
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I think Nix is a bit young to be wanting to brumate. It's not a trait normally seen among such small corns. But as has been said, if he isn't losing weight then you need not worry much.
Just for poops and giggles, have you tried offering up a live pinky?
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Author Comment
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2/18/2012 9:40:01 AM
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Era_Daven
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Nothing in his husbandry has changed. The temperature is always stable, he's in a place where he's not subject to any traffic so there's nothing to scare him, and we do offer f/t pinkie once a week that's been heated in hot water. Before now, he had been eating like a trooper and very active, but it is true that lately he has just been stretching out in his cage and not moving much, unless disturbed. He appears the same size, just a tad bit longer because of age, but, no, he doesn't look to be losing weight. I have not tried feeding live; I didn't think it would be neccessary since he's always been fine with his f/t food. Brumation seems like the most likey cause since what everyone has said here suggesting it makes sense, especially with the inactivity. As long as no one thinks he sounds sick, I'll just keep offering the food once a week.
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Assisted Answer
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2/18/2012 9:49:42 AM
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FyreFocks
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I don't think he sounds sick at all. My only concern, as stated above, would be that I've never seen a baby refuse because of brumation. However, I only have my animals as a sample size, so who is to say I'm right? I hope he eats for you soon.
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Assisted Answer
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2/18/2012 3:50:06 PM
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Tiki108
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What is the temp on the warm size and cool side? If you don't have a temp gun yet I suggest you get one. Not sure what your set up is like, but if you're using a heat source, what temp is the tstat set for?
Have you tried braining?
I agree with Nate, while some of my adults decide to eat less during the winter all of my babies go strong through the winter. Sometimes feeding a live pinky will spark their interest so it might be worth a shot. Also not sure what if you have a scale, but it might not be a bad idea to get one just to make sure what his weights are at. But I really wouldn't worry too much unless he starts to lose weight.
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Author Comment
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2/18/2012 6:31:34 PM
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Era_Daven
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Thanks everyone for the advice, I appreciate it.
An interesting bit of info I found out today which I'm guessing supports the brumation theory for Nix. We were going to attempt his weekly food offering again today, and inside his cage I had placed a cardboard tube Nix loves to hid in. I picked up the tube and Nix slid out, and he lied in the substrate unmoving like he was dead. Didn't move at all, and we panicked. But less than a minute later he became active once more, thank God. Sound like brumation?
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Author Comment
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2/18/2012 6:32:54 PM
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Assisted Answer
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2/18/2012 7:20:28 PM
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Tiki108
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Take a needle (or something sharp), put it into the brain of the pinky and stir it around and get some brains out and smear it on the nose of the pinky. The smell of mice brains can trigger a feeding response in some snakes. I've had it work on stubborn snakes multiple times, worth a try.
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Author Comment
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2/18/2012 7:25:40 PM
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Era_Daven
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Oh my God, that's so gross, but if all else fails, I'll try anything to keep him alive and healthy. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Assisted Answer
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2/18/2012 9:37:00 PM
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CrazyJen
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I got six nonfeeding corn babies to take to gerbil pinkies in a heartbeat. They are just hard to come by unless you have your own gerbils. :/ I've had too much frustration with nonfeeding corns. I got one to eat by thawing a frozen pinkie in chicken broth; and another one began to eat when i only offered a pinkie head. I guess the whole pinkie was too intimidating for it? lol ANYWAY~ There are dozens of methods to try, but sometimes just a live mouse is all it takes.
Good luck, and best wishes with Nix! He shouldn't have any internal problems; non-eating corns is an all too common occurence.
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Assisted Answer
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2/18/2012 9:58:15 PM
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l3r0k3nh34rt
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Have you tried live? It is always a last ditch effort because I prefere frozen, but most snakes can switch back and forth with little force. I would give it a chance, at least it would be eating even if it is a pain to go buy live every week...
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Assisted Answer
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2/18/2012 10:40:55 PM
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Paul White
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Make sure there's a decent warm area. I know some people manage to keep colubrids without a supplemental heat source but it is so much easier to get decent results if there's a good thermal gradient (basically, one end in the mid 80s, one end in the low 70s or high 60s).
How fast was he moving? When I burmate my kings and garters, they will move but they move *very* slowly, like watching a video that's in slow motion almost.
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