I have a two year old garter snake that is refusing to eat. I had him on pinkies and he did well with them, would eat them with no problems. He will no longer eat them. I have tried feeder guppies and comets, he refuses them also. I am now trying nightcrawlers. He has not eaten in almost over two weeks. The temperature in his terrarium is between 75 and 80. The humidity is at about 50%. I know his refusal to eat is not due to his shedding of his skin, that occurred last month. I have tried looking on several websites about garter snakes, and also some forums. I have called several reptile and pet stores only to come up empty handed with very much needed input. My next step, of course, is to take him to the vet. Hopefully, it won't come to that. I appreciate any advice or suggestions that anyone may have.
2006-10-31 12:47:38 · 10 answers · asked by Christie 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
I would guess that your snake is getting ready for the hibernation phase. They quit eating when they are about to burrow for the winter. Snakes typically only feed every two to three weeks anyway.
2006-10-31 12:51:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Without knowing where you live, and the normal ambient temperature, your snake is being kept in a heat range too high, at least in total. First thing you should do is a heat pad UNDER the tank, and allow a cooling off end/corner.
I've owned and wrangled many snakes and reptiles in my life, and currently have a 7 week old Corn male that stopped eating after 3 meals in 6 weeks.
Hibernation periods can last as long as 4 months. I know this first hand after losing one in my SUV from December to April in Washington State.
Hibernation can't very well be comfortable at 75 to 80 degrees however, yet the snakes biology is likely confused.
Certainly you need to keep the snake well hydrated, allowing fresh water at all times, and you can insinuate something like dead crickets, that won't decompose as Pinkies do, and smell, draw insects, and be harmful to the snake if eaten.
I suggest lowering the environment temp to 60 degrees and allow the natural processes to take over.
All that said however, and since you mention the age of the snake, have you had it that long? Have you experienced a hibernation with this snake in the past?
Steven Wolf
2006-10-31 14:27:55 · answer #2 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I rule out hibernation as you have overcome the elements that bring about this natural activity.
I would think stress, or a physical condition.
Has the snake deficated normally? It the feces normal appearing?
Two weeks isn't a long time for snakes. In the wild, some eat only six times a year and boas have been recorded to stop feeding for over a year without ill effects.
What to try:
Provide a proper photoperiod of naturally ocurring sunlight and a hidebox for shade and security. Be sure not to over expose to the heat of the sun.
Provide a large clean dish of water. Your snake may lay in the water for a few days, or just drink from it. Sometimes, in impaction cases, soaking in water gives the animal the chance to deficate.
If the snake has not fed for a month, there is a serious issue at hand and a personal checkup may be in order.
2006-10-31 20:08:08 · answer #3 · answered by michael p 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
like many snakes, garter snakes, especially when they are close or at full weight will not eat for periods of time. I have a friend how owns an anaconda and it only eats once a month. My suggestion to you is watch and see when it starts to become active and then give it something that you know it likes. It should eat. If on the chance it does not eat, because it is sick I would check with a vet or someone who has a snake that can tell you the signs to look for. But I know a snake that just does not eat is not necessarily a sick snake.
You need to consider the amount of moving it does, snakes in a cage does not move or have to move very far so it does not expend energy. Plus it can slow its metabolism down in cooler temperatures. Warmer temps will make it more active (as you seem to indicate you know). It may just not be ready to eat as I have said if it has stopped growing.
2006-10-31 12:57:37 · answer #4 · answered by Duane L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As snakes mature, they eat less frequently. As the weather turns colder, they eat less frequently. Generally, snakes are hibernating creatures and regardless of the terrarium temp, they know when winter is. It's coming up fast. Your snake knows that.
Keep in mind that snakes only eat to live. It's not something they get a lot of pleasure from the way people do. He'll eat when he's hungry. Two weeks is not a whole lot of time for a snake.
2006-10-31 12:59:10 · answer #5 · answered by north79004487 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The temp. in your snakes habitat will not influence the snake at this time of year, contrary to what others will try to tell you. Your snake is sexually mature & will begin it's period of brumation (hibernation) now & will become inactive for at least 2-3 months. Stop trying to feed it & remove any external heat sources. Keep fresh water in the cage & other than that, try not to disturb the snake too much till you see it become more active on it's own in the springtime. Before a snake is sexually mature, 18mo.-2yrs., you sometimes can keep them awake & feeding all year. This only applies to snakes that would normally hibernate (brumate) in the wild.
2006-11-01 10:27:23 · answer #6 · answered by preacher55 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a lot of times, at lest for my snakes, if your snake has gone too long without eating, if you dip the mouse in chicken broth it wont be too long before the snake eats it. Like I said, at least thats how Synyster(ball python) and Nirvana(corn) are. but there right. when the season's change, snakes will go a long while without eating
2006-10-31 12:58:40 · answer #7 · answered by damn_regrets 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It Is Hibernation Season. Eating is not natural now.
2006-10-31 12:50:34 · answer #8 · answered by me 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
hes probably going to hibernate. turn all sources of heat off and make it kinda cool in there otherwise he might not hibernate and just starve to death.
2006-10-31 13:24:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
its either its sick or its on a hunger strike,my friend had a snake it refused to eat because it wanted to be free,or try to feed him mice of small birds
2006-10-31 13:53:26 · answer #10 · answered by mulie 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋