My snake is not eating....?

Question

I've noticed that my husbands snake will not eat multicolored rats...I say this because he was eating with no problem when he got him. My husband was buying white mice or rats he snatched them up with no problem. Could it be that hes sick, or my husband should buy him white mice/rats?

Answer 1

they stop eating while they shed their skins

Answer 2

I've had a few snakes that were particular about the color of the food items. If that's the case, you can use hooded rats, but make sure you get one that has a white mask, or just feed white rats. I would encourage you to either pre kill the rats or feed frozen thawed or you are going to end up with an injured snake at some point. Rats have a wicked set of teeth that are more than capable of removing eyes and noses of a snake that may not quite get the rat in a perfect strike. Don't risk your valuable pet by feeding something that potentially can kill your animal. Freezing also kills off many of the parasites that pet store feeder animals carry.

Answer 3

While you may wish to check to see if he is in shed (eyes opaque, skin slightly grayed out) or get him to a good reptile vet for a check up, he may simply like white rodents better.

Personally, nothing I can do will make my 11 year old male ball python eat rats in general, or any rodent darker then a light grey. This really doesn't bother me too much, I just get him pale colored rodents. Some snakes see light colors better then they do dark, or visa versa; so they respond better to whatever color that is.

I'd try to see if there is anything medically wrong with him just in case. If he clears with the vet, then try offering him different colors of rodents once per week so you can see what interests him. Depending on the size and species of the snake, try mice, rats, even rabbits, or guinea pigs. If it is a small enough snake to take mice, you can try live feeding if you are closely monitoring him. Rats can and often will seriously injure your snake, so it is best to stun them at the very least.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Very few non-venomous snakes see in color. Most constrictors, boas, anacadas, pythons, etc.. have heat sensing pit on their upper lips that helps them see heat. Colored rodents will not make a difference. Also, most snakes are night hunters. Since they have poor eyesight even in the day... they use their tongues to track urine dropplettes left by their prey. They pick up tiny particle with their tongues which are in turn decyphered by a gland at the roof of their mouths called "Jacobsons Gland". A snake could very easily track its prey very accurately even if it had no eyes at all.
I would try cleanning it's enclosure, turn up its temp a few degrees in the day, making sure its night temp is down to about 60-65 degrees. good luck

Answer 5

Its funny how snakes can't see in color, but that some do refuse black mice vs. white mice. If he is refusing a different colored mouse, try switching back to the white ones. My ball python isn't a picky eater and no matter what color mouse goes in the tank, it is gone within seconds. Also, is your snake getting ready to shed? Most snakes will refuse a meal when they are about to shed.

Answer 6

Snakes don't need to eat every day and they also have periods where they store up body fat for long periods. Check with your local pet shop for more advice.

Answer 7

snake can last for a month without eating....that is the reason why your snake is not on his appetite right now...snakes digest their prey quite slow....

and snakes dont really care what's the color of their prey.....even if it is multi colored or monochrome...so i speak....

Answer 8

My snake is not eating....?

Answer 9

Can I eat a jolly rancher right now?

Answer 10

my phython is the same it will only eat white rats he is a funny little sod but i think he has just got used to the fact that we fed him only white the only thing you can do is try him with a white one and you will have your answer

Answer 11

Do I have an eating disorder?