View Full Version : Cornsnake Stopped Eating!
Cornsnake Stopped Eating!
Tim60
03-03-2016, 08:03 PM
I have an adult albino cornsnake who is probably about 20 years old and I've had him for ~ 9 years. Recently he stopped eating. It's been approximately 2 weeks since and has refused food today and 2 days ago. He is now very active - constantly moving about his cage and has been doing so for ~ 2 days. He's usually very interested in eating...virtually never refused food even if getting ready shed (he's normally a pig as snakes go). Externally, he looks healthy - no visible anomalies, has been in same cage, has not had any stressful events, one end of cage has heat lamp and nothing at other so temps should be fine. Needless to say, I'm worried as he has never acted like this. Please advise.
daddio207
03-03-2016, 08:09 PM
Surprised he has never acted that way prior. He is probably just in mating mode. Happens this time of year. No worries. It will pass in a week or two :)
Tim60
03-04-2016, 07:16 AM
He's slowed down now (though I'm assuming he's a male based on size [~ 3 feet]. I'll monitor...just difficult to not worry about him.
tonyk
03-17-2016, 04:00 PM
My female stopped eating for almost 2 months and very active. The funny thing is, she gained 20 grams while not eating. She finally ate yesterday. I assume she was in a find a mate mode.
Tim60
03-19-2016, 08:27 AM
Tonyk - that's very interesting. I don't know the snake's gender...never had it probed. Assumed it was a male because of a smaller size but that may not mean anything. Still hasn't eaten...been almost a month. Still very active.
Nanci
03-19-2016, 10:33 AM
I might try him on a rat pink. With the proviso that sometimes it's hard to get them to switch back. If he's 20, he's unfortunately nearing the end of his lifespan- but he _could_ have another 5 years left, too. But what we usually see here in older snakes that are on their way out- they stop eating, and get inactive, and just fade away. Yours sounds alert and active, and it's certainly the right time of year for this behavior.
Tim60
03-19-2016, 12:47 PM
Thanks, Nanci. True, he's up in senior citizen age...which as w/ any pet, I don't like to think of his passing in the near future.
He (well, I don't really know the gender) is constantly moving around his cage...actually climbing more than usual. He used to come to his plate when I tap on it and go right for the mouse (pre-killed thawed). No the case now. Plan to try again today or tomorrow. He/she just ignores the food right now.
Nanci
03-19-2016, 02:54 PM
I wouldn't try more often than every two weeks, unless you have another snake as back-up.
Tim60
03-20-2016, 08:53 AM
OK - will do.
Tim60
03-20-2016, 08:50 PM
FINALLY! My cornsnake ate tonight. Technically just about 4 weeks having passed since he/she ate last. Couldn't bring myself to wait. They're like children and you keep worrying about them. Actually, they behave much better. Thanks to everyone for you advice and concern.
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