Garter Snake Forum - View Single Post

Cazador · 04-11-2007, 12:45 AM

Hi Courtney,

Not to toot my own horn, but I mentioned in the first post on this topic (My snake won't eat) that it would probably eat very little for the next 2-3 weeks. I only point this out (and the fact that we drifted so far from the main point) to illustrated that this "fast" was predictable, and wasn't alarming to people at the time. At the same time, I realize how alarming it can be to the person whose snake isn't eating. Whenever there's a real problem, we stay pretty focused, but given what a great feeder it was, its fast isn't completely unexpected.

I'm betting that the snake is a bit obese, but a picture would sure help. If it isn't overweight, then the issue becomes more serious. Would you mind posting a picture when you get a chance? Here are directions for Posting Pictures.

If the snake looks a bit plump, and since it hasn't eaten since approximately 17-18 March (about 3.5 weeks), you have a couple of options. First, you could continue trying to present different food items at 2-3 day intervals to see if one particular smell interests it. Don't leave food in the enclosure for over an hour, though... let the smell clear so the snake doesn't become "conditioned" to the smell of food. Alternatively, you have the option of putting it down for a short brumation. Around fall time, the common mantra is that if a snake voluntarily skips three consecutive weekly meals, you might want to consider putting it down for brumation. In fact, many snakes just refuse to eat and have to be put down. Brumation normally "resets" their appetite and is a natural part of their life cycle. A 2-3 week fast is the status quo for people who want to put their snakes into brumation, so you're not out of the window of normalcy, yet. Your snake's timing for brumation may have just been thrown off a bit due to its captivity... particularly if it's a yearling. Let me ask just a couple of questions to help us get to the heart of the matter.

1) I'm gathering from your 2nd post that you got the snake in mid-to-late January, right?

2) Was it wild caught and given to you or purchased from a store?

3) How long is it now?

4) What food items have you tried to feed it (besides worms and fish)?

5) How often have you been trying to feed it?

6) Is its skin a bit stretched between the scales (around its circumference)? Even if not, please post a picture, and we'll do our best to give further help.

7) If it's not a bit overweight at this point, there might be another issue at work, which is a bit more serious. Do you know what type of "minnows" you've been feeding?

04-11-2007, 12:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cazador Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alaska, USA Posts: 1,608 Country:	Re: Luke SkyWalker vs. Darth Vader Hi Courtney, Not to toot my own horn, but I mentioned in the first post on this topic (My snake won't eat) that it would probably eat very little for the next 2-3 weeks. I only point this out (and the fact that we drifted so far from the main point) to illustrated that this "fast" was predictable, and wasn't alarming to people at the time. At the same time, I realize how alarming it can be to the person whose snake isn't eating. Whenever there's a real problem, we stay pretty focused, but given what a great feeder it was, its fast isn't completely unexpected. I'm betting that the snake is a bit obese, but a picture would sure help. If it isn't overweight, then the issue becomes more serious. Would you mind posting a picture when you get a chance? Here are directions for Posting Pictures. If the snake looks a bit plump, and since it hasn't eaten since approximately 17-18 March (about 3.5 weeks), you have a couple of options. First, you could continue trying to present different food items at 2-3 day intervals to see if one particular smell interests it. Don't leave food in the enclosure for over an hour, though... let the smell clear so the snake doesn't become "conditioned" to the smell of food. Alternatively, you have the option of putting it down for a short brumation. Around fall time, the common mantra is that if a snake voluntarily skips three consecutive weekly meals, you might want to consider putting it down for brumation. In fact, many snakes just refuse to eat and have to be put down. Brumation normally "resets" their appetite and is a natural part of their life cycle. A 2-3 week fast is the status quo for people who want to put their snakes into brumation, so you're not out of the window of normalcy, yet. Your snake's timing for brumation may have just been thrown off a bit due to its captivity... particularly if it's a yearling. Let me ask just a couple of questions to help us get to the heart of the matter. 1) I'm gathering from your 2nd post that you got the snake in mid-to-late January, right? 2) Was it wild caught and given to you or purchased from a store? 3) How long is it now? 4) What food items have you tried to feed it (besides worms and fish)? 5) How often have you been trying to feed it? 6) Is its skin a bit stretched between the scales (around its circumference)? Even if not, please post a picture, and we'll do our best to give further help. 7) If it's not a bit overweight at this point, there might be another issue at work, which is a bit more serious. Do you know what type of "minnows" you've been feeding?