edwfsp
New member
My corn snake will be 20 years old this September, and he's my first snake, so I don't know if what I'm seeing lately is a result of his advanced age or if there is anything else going on - just wanted to be sure.
It's been a cold winter and cool Spring so far and lately he's started to occasionally mouth breathe; once or twice it was true mouth breathing, just sitting there with his mouth wide open for a long time - but usually it's the occasional gasp (it seemed). A quick little gulp of air every 20 or 30 seconds. Doesn't happen often. He'll go through a few days where I won't see it happen, and then a few days when he seems to be doing it all day. Very random. No foaming around the mouth. He has definitely had a reduction in his appetite. After his last shed, in February I believe, he went over a month without wanting to eat. Doesn't seem to have lost weight, still drinking fine, still pooping. I just didn't know if this was "elderly snake" behavior or a result of things being cool and, due to his age, perhaps he's just not a fan of winter now. The 100W bulb used to always do the trick. Just not sure and wanted to reach out. Thanks.
It's been a cold winter and cool Spring so far and lately he's started to occasionally mouth breathe; once or twice it was true mouth breathing, just sitting there with his mouth wide open for a long time - but usually it's the occasional gasp (it seemed). A quick little gulp of air every 20 or 30 seconds. Doesn't happen often. He'll go through a few days where I won't see it happen, and then a few days when he seems to be doing it all day. Very random. No foaming around the mouth. He has definitely had a reduction in his appetite. After his last shed, in February I believe, he went over a month without wanting to eat. Doesn't seem to have lost weight, still drinking fine, still pooping. I just didn't know if this was "elderly snake" behavior or a result of things being cool and, due to his age, perhaps he's just not a fan of winter now. The 100W bulb used to always do the trick. Just not sure and wanted to reach out. Thanks.
