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Old 03-27-2005, 11:55 AM   #6
JTGoff69
First, how old/big is the snake?

More than likely, it's ready to shed and the color will dull when that is imminent. As for the mice doing it, I'll address that further down.


Aspen is tried and true, and most keepers on this forum use it.


I would definitely scrap the light and get a proper sized UTH. If he's in an aquatic 29gal tank, the heat is probably not reaching the bottom of the tank. And improper heat is one reason snakes wont eat. Belly heat aids digestion as well. When you say the temp is 70-80, do you mean the whole tank varies or is that the cool side/warm side temps?

Remove the Texas Rat. If, in fact, these are both full grown snakes, that tank is way too small for both of them, and it's not recommended to keep two in the same tank anyway. It, as well as the corn, are probably stressed at having to share the same living space, and with only two hides, there is nowhere to escape the other. Another reason they may not be eating.


NEVER leave live mice unattended in your snake's tank! If left in there with no food of their own, they can, and will, attack and mutilate your snake. And yes, the snake can be traumatized to the point of never taking that prey item again. You may have to switch to rat pups, different color mice, gerbils, etc. Feeding frozen/thawed mice when snakes get past the pinky/fuzzy mouse stage is the way to go to avoid any risk of injury. Feed your snake in a separate container as well so it does not risk injesting any of the aspen.


Don't try pinky mice. Wait a few days to a week after you separate the snakes and try a frozen/thawed adult mouse. Thaw it in warm water and feed it while still warm in the feeding container. If possible, leave it and the snake alone in the feeding container overnight if it doesn't eat right away. This gives the snake nothing to concentrate on but the mouse.