Gray Rat Snake Not Eating?

[LonelyZoner]

Hey everybody! Well...I have a gray rat snake, and he hasn't been eating--it's been a good three weeks, at least. After he shed about two weeks ago I tried to feed him. It was a hopper (and not the biggest thing he's eaten before), and he went up to it, looked pretty interested, then quickly went to the other side of the tank and practically burried himself in substrate. I tried about every two days to feed him again, and he still wasn't taking. I thought maybe he just didn't want to eat something that big, so I put a fuzzy (or a baby mouse that's about and inch long and is just growing fur) in there, and he did the same thing. I can't imagine why he's doing this--he's never done it before, and I haven't changed anything in his tank--including the temperature. I also don't think it's because he shed either, because this is his fourth time since I've had him. Also, the food is live, and he's always accepted it before, almost immediately, and I usually feed him once a week.

He's also very active (or at least as active as a snake gets). He'll crawl up the vines and around the ground and then just sunbathe or rest, so I don't think he's sick--although he is wild caught, so that could be a factor, but I have no way of telling or any vets that specialize in reptiles around here. My mom thinks he just doesn't want to eat mice, since their diet in the wild diverse, and she keeps telling me to put some crickets in there. I personally have never heard of feeding a (pet) snake anything other than mice or rats, so I'm not too keen on her idea. I read for ball pythons that they (usually males) will go on a hunger strike pre-breeding season, so do you think that may be it?

I really don't want him to die, so anything will be appreciated. =)

 

[pitbulllady]

Hey everybody! Well...I have a gray rat snake, and he hasn't been eating--it's been a good three weeks, at least. After he shed about two weeks ago I tried to feed him. It was a hopper (and not the biggest thing he's eaten before), and he went up to it, looked pretty interested, then quickly went to the other side of the tank and practically burried himself in substrate. I tried about every two days to feed him again, and he still wasn't taking. I thought maybe he just didn't want to eat something that big, so I put a fuzzy (or a baby mouse that's about and inch long and is just growing fur) in there, and he did the same thing. I can't imagine why he's doing this--he's never done it before, and I haven't changed anything in his tank--including the temperature. I also don't think it's because he shed either, because this is his fourth time since I've had him. Also, the food is live, and he's always accepted it before, almost immediately, and I usually feed him once a week.

He's also very active (or at least as active as a snake gets). He'll crawl up the vines and around the ground and then just sunbathe or rest, so I don't think he's sick--although he is wild caught, so that could be a factor, but I have no way of telling or any vets that specialize in reptiles around here. My mom thinks he just doesn't want to eat mice, since their diet in the wild diverse, and she keeps telling me to put some crickets in there. I personally have never heard of feeding a (pet) snake anything other than mice or rats, so I'm not too keen on her idea. I read for ball pythons that they (usually males) will go on a hunger strike pre-breeding season, so do you think that may be it?

I really don't want him to die, so anything will be appreciated. =)

It is not uncommon for wild-caught snakes to harbor parasites which, in the wild, don't seem to bother them, but in captivity often "explode" in number to the point of causing a problem. Often, the first indication of a problem is the snake refusing to eat, or if it does eat, regurging. That's why keepers usually de-worm with Panacur when they get a new snake in. Sometimes it takes WC snakes awhile to transition to f/t prey, and to get used to DOMESTICATED rodents, which are of different species and often of a different color than wild rodents they are used to eating. Believe it or not, even CB snakes can be picky over color of their food items! Most Coachwhips will refuse white or spotted mice but will eat wild-colored grey-brown ones. Many juvenile and hatchling wild Rat Snakes are lizard feeders, and switch over to rodents later on, but I have had some that would not eat rodents at first but would readily consume an Anole. No Rat Snake eats crickets; the only snake species I know of on the east coast that will eat those is the Rough Green Snake. I would still consider intestinal parasites to be the primary culprit though, and have a fecal check done to assess the situation there. Also, try f/t if you've been feeding live, and leave them with him overnight near his hide.

pitbulllady

 

[LonelyZoner]

Thank you! Actually the mice that I have tried were spotted, so I just got a black one and he ate it! Thank you so much! I was really quite scared--and I'll get Pancur as soon as I can. (I had no idea you could deworm your snakes! I still have a lot to learn!) =D

 

[Najakeeper]

Be very careful with the Panacur dose. It is better if you can find an expert reptile vet to help you (you can call them) or you can actually kill the snake with it. In my opinion, if the snake is feeding, defecating and gaining wait normally, do not use any medicine. Going off feed for 2-3 weeks is not a very big deal.

 

[LonelyZoner]

Be very careful with the Panacur dose. It is better if you can find an expert reptile vet to help you (you can call them) or you can actually kill the snake with it. In my opinion, if the snake is feeding, defecating and gaining wait normally, do not use any medicine. Going off feed for 2-3 weeks is not a very big deal.

Oh geez, yeah I don't think I want to take that chance... Thank you for telling me! I think I'll just forget about the Panacur, since there are no vets for reptiles for at least a two hour drive. -_- But thanks! =)