[Cazador]

Hi Brittany,
I just looked through your old posts and didn't see anything to suggest that your snake had any other problems. Since you've had it for about 5 months, and it doesn't seem to have given you feeding problems before, it sounds like it just wants to brumate. To be sure, I'll give you a brief list of things to look for to ensure it's healthy before you put it down for brumation.

- Has its cage been kept clean?
- Any signs that it's preparing to shed?
- Does it gape its mouth when breathing?
- Does it always seem to have its head raised (pointing upward)?
- Does it have a ticking sound when breathing?
- Does it have any mucous around its mouth?
- Has it vomited?
- Have you seen any blood in its stool?
- Is the vent discolored or have mucous, puss, or dried feces around it?
- Are there any blisters, bumps, or raised scales?
- Does its stool have a whitish crystalline portion and a semi-solid brownish/blackish portion (since you're feeding fish), or is it runny and discolored?
- Snakes that eat worms and fish normally have foul smelling stool, but is it REALLY foul smelling?
- Is there a hard, bulge anterior to (in front of) the vent (suggesting constipation)?
- Wipe it down with a wet, white paper towel. Do you see mites crawling around?
- Does it look malnourished?
- Does it feel strong and look healthy? Its a very good sign if it isn't eating for this long but still appears healthy.
- Is the snake alert? Does it react by either tensing up or darting when you open its pen? These are good signs.
- Is it lethargic?
- Has it been trying to hide more often?
- Does it constantly cruise its pen (constant motion)?
- Does it flick its tongue when you blow on its head or when you introduce a new odor (even food)?
- Have you been feeding it goldfish, exclusively?
- What kind of temperature and photoperiod does it experience?

These questions are for your benefit. There's no need to answer them online unless you notice a problem. If there isn't a problem, your snake is probably ready to do what fitchi normally do this time of year... brumate. Unless your answers make you concerned, or unless it is preparing to shed, I'd just continue dropping the temp and photoperiod. Make sure it has plenty of hiding places, and put it away for the winter. People all over the place have been noticing the same thing with their snakes, and you'll see more people with the same concerns in the near future. Inappetance is completely normal for this time of year. Talk to you soon,
Rick