Snakey strikes at food with closed mouth

[lsherry@earthlink.ne]

Snakey (yes, that's his name) has been very active but not eating for 7 weeks (similar to last year, probably seasonal?). After refusing adult mice several weeks, we went to smaller feed. He has eaten a single hopper/fuzzy twice in the last 2 weeks, but when offered a second he either ignores it, or appears to strike but without opening his jaw. Today his jaw looks crooked, a little open on one side. Did he break his jaw striking at the glass or something? Why would he appear to strike, but have trouble with his jaw?

[Erika N.]

Do you happen to have any pictures of the suspected injury?

[lsherry@earthlink.ne]

I'll try to post a pic in the morning. thanks

[lsherry@earthlink.ne]

Crookedness of his jaw was resolved by morning - thanks. Still he pokes at the hopper, but shows no interest in eating. The last 2 times he ate, he had trouble gripping the hopper/fuzzy. What could be possible jaw problems?
Maybe I'm just getting paranoid that his eating has been off for so long - I checked my records: He did not eat at all for 5 weeks, then ate a large fuzzy on 3/23, another on 3/30, and another on 4/9. Last year he went 9 weeks from March to May without eating. We did take him to a vet then, but never identified the problem.
Maybe someone could just tell me to stop worrying???

[AliCat37]

It really could be seasonal. A lot of males will go off feed at this time of year because they have other things on their minds (girls, girls, girls!!!). As long as he doesn't lose a whole lot of weight quickly, I wouldn't worry about it. My ball python (TOTALLY opposite snakes, but still) just ate his first rat in over 6 months.

[WingedSweetheart]

I wouldn't worry unless he looses a lot of weight. If he is old enough to be into mating (some start at just a year old) then it may be a seasonal thing. My male kingsnake went 3 months without eating. Showed no interest in food. I could get him to eat a pinkie or peach fuzzy every now and again. But most of the time he would act like he wanted it. Then just poke at it and end up ignoring it.

[proileri]

Is he a male? It can be quite common for males to not to eat for a while during the reproductive season in spring. Other things in their mind :)