Why won't my spotted python eat?

Question

I have a spotted python, Cleopatra - she's 4 years old. She has not eaten since August 20th. She has shed twice since then. For a while she was REALLY active, like she was hunting - so I'd give her a live mousie and sh'd just follow it around - not even striking. I consulted a local herpetologist and he said that maybe she was looking for a mate....well I'm not set up for breeding (plus, spotteds are hard to find around here)...so I pushed the temp in her cage up another 5 degrees (87 degrees). That settled her down, but now she still isn't eating. She comes out from under her little tree cave to drink, she shed again last week........I'm worried about her.

I don't want to force feed her if I don't absolutely have to!

Any suggestions? Help?!?!

She appears healthy, acts healthy when I handle her. Hasn't lost weight. Has defecated once in the past month. I use day/night lamps as well as heating pads and heat rock. She's not on cedar....I use aspen shavings.

Answer 1

First off, NEVER use a heat rock with any snake. They can cause several thermal burns. A heat mat is the only heat source you should be using.

Your snake is probably thinking about breeding. What do you mean, set up for breeding? Snakes don't think like that. She just knows that she wants a partner and it's very common for snakes to fast during the winter.

Another thing, do not force feed. Do not force feed unless she will die without it and honestly, snakes can go months without food. Force feeding is VERY stressful for a snake and it will just upset her more.

Good luck.

Answer 2

First off, never ever force feed your snake. It's the worst thing you can do. Your snake will eventually eat. It is winter time and it's probably hibernating. Snakes can go months without eating. I had a ball python once that eats regularly over the summer, but once winter hits, no matter what temperture the cage is, it just won't eat. The ball python that I had has gone 6 months without eating before.

My suggestion is to save a frozen mouse and let it thaw on top of the cage (provided that you're using a cage with a mesh top) when your snake is actively moving around. If your snake senses the frozen mouse, it'll eat it. Let it thaw for a few hours till it's suitable to eat and throw it in.

Answer 3

Hum... I bred snakes for years, and my females did not go off food and look for a mate. That is an odd answer. Snakes do hibernate. This is especially true if their habitat temperature have fallen much. Where are you located? I would make sure that her habitat temperature is correct. If it is in a safe range, and she is not dehydrated or loosing weight, I would simply let her finish her hibernation. Snakes often do this and then breed when the temperature go up. They do not stop eating to breed, especially the female whose higher body weight insures more healthy offspring.

If you snake is loosing body weight and is dehydrated, take her to the vet ASAP. They will likely just need a fecal sample to make sure that she does not have parasites. Also, if you see any mucus or discharge from her mouth, and she is breathing oddly, take her to the vet. Upper respiratory infections take the lives of many reptiles each year. It is usually due to an improper habitat temperature.

Your temperature may be a little high, especially if it is stable around the clock. Her temperature should be in the mid 70's at night and in the mid 80's during the day. There can be one spot in the cage that is warmer, however, it should not be hot enough to burn her. Remember, reptiles can not feel themselves burning until it is too late.

Once last thing, you do not have her on cedar, do you? It is toxic to reptiles and will slowly kill them. It affects the nervous system.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Why are you stressful? because of the fact he skipped 2 nutrition? A healthful snake can thoroughly pass 18 and doubtless no longer lose a gram. He shouldn't even word the chilly climate in any respect in view so which you could be retaining him in a temperature controlled ecosystem. purely because of the fact it gets less warm for you, would not recommend he needs to experience it. you could desire to apply a thermostat inclusive of your heating gadget. in case you do no longer use timed lights to regulate the cycles then it rather is in all probability he follows the seasons via a window, so it rather is nonetheless possible. the two way skipping purely 2 weeks ability no longer something. additionally he's not bored of eating. You have been messing along with his nutrition on your final question, he would not choose that style of rigidity. purely make particular the enclosure's correct supplied, that he has a minimum of two comfortable hides on the two fringe of the astonishing thermal gradient, and that he's not under pressure via overhandling or unsuitable coping with. purely leave him be and the temps up.

Answer 5

You really have to watch that. I know a guy that worked for a very famous rock star and they had put a rat in with their python so it could have a meal, but the python was not hungry as someone had actually fed him the day before so when they got to the country they were going to and opened up his box, the rat had eaten and killed the python.

Answer 6

You have to take her to a good vet and probably he'll ask some tests. She's telling you something is wrong with her, what about worms? How long didn't take the right medicines for clearing her from worms?

Answer 7

snakes can survive during a long period of time after eating a lot

Answer 8

Your snake is sleeping.

Answer 9

shes dipressed