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Feeding... husbandry? issues

Spirit

Spirit

New member
Over the last few weeks (over a month) it's becoming harder and harder to trick my snake into eating. Tonight he's flat out refusing. I brained it, and nothing. I feed 1 hopper every 7 days.

What are some possible reasons why a corn will stop eating? The last few times I've had to brain the mouse, but tonight... nothing. He'll flick his tongue at it (and his nose will touch the "goo"), then he'll slither away.

The only thing that's changed (husbandry-wise) is I took away one of his trees earlier this week. He never used it, and it was just taking up space in the viv, but like I said, it seems to be getting worse every week.

Any ideas? He used to be SUCH an agressive eater...
 
It just happens sometimes. I have an amel girl who at about 1 year old bluntly refused to eat for more than 2 months and then started again of her own accord. Now she's a great eater but prefers to be left alone with the lid on the feeding box. Perhaps that'll work for you. Just put the feeding box in a warm, quiet place with the lid on and the lights not too bright (perhaps in the terrarium itself) and snakeums will start up again it's most likely. You could try missing a week and just not offereng food for something like 10 days...that might allow your snake to build up an appetite. If you get really desperate (I haven't resorted to this personally) you could try a live fuzzy. I absolutely hate the thought of live feeding but I'd do it if there were no other options. Good luck,
A
 
If he's eating hoppers, he can go a couple weeks without. Try kicking the heat up about 3-5 degrees, this has worked for me in the past.

Mike B
 
Spirit,

You said "he" is refusing food. If it is a he, males will sometimes stop feeding around this time of the year due to a different kind of appetite. :dgrin:
 
Thanks guys.

I'm not concerned yet, but between this weird "not really wanting to eat" thing and the strange "tiny poops all over the place" thing, I was wondering if there's maybe something I'm overlooking. It started about 4 or 5 weeks ago I think...

He refused last night but he's due for a shed, so I just blew it off to "that time of the month". lol
 
When was the last time that he ate? He could have a belly full of parasites. That may be the cause for the frequent defacation, but don't quote me on that. If he is becoming uninterested in hoppers, try a rat pup. Like Princess, I have had a few problems once my snakes hit yearling. The smell of a different prey item sometimes induces and increase of appetite. Plus I find that rat pups are more beneficial as they have more nutritional value.
 
He ate last sunday (8 days ago). I noticed late last night that his belly is bordeline milky (and milky today) so he's going into shed, which is likely why he refused last night.

However, I did switch breeders and he has been acting a little strange week or so, so thanks for freaking me out. LOL! No seriously, these are the things I like to know so if it does happen to be true, I'll be able to handle it better.

I have rat pinks here... I might offer him one of them if he refuses again after he sheds.
 
Welcome to my world Spirit! My amel hasn't eaten in almost a month. I'm taking him to be probed, but I'm almost certain that he's a male, not a female as we thought. He just crawls around the viv all the time, and is not the least bit interested in food.
 
Sometimes corns decide to cut back in the fall and winter...

just because their genes tell them they don't want to get caught out in a cold snap with a full belly. They often sense the season even if you keep them warm. Sometimes adding more, brighter, and longer light cycles (photoperiod) will help convince them that spring has sprung. Or you can just wait until spring is really here - most will pig out, although once breeding season arrives, many males will go back off feed again.

All of this is assuming that your snake is healthy and just isn't hungry.
 
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