Hello all. New to the forums and I can tell I'm going to learn a LOT from you all and I'm glad I found this website. My partner and I bought an Andean milksnake in late May 2013, complete with stand, vivarium, cypress bark chips, two hiding spots and so forth. The tank measures 36" wide, 18" deep, 18" high. He's about 4.5-5 feet long, and I believe he's 3 or 4 years old, though I'll need to double check. From what I've read, Andean milksnakes aren't the best choice for a beginner hobbyist due to their montane habitats. Nevertheless, he's been really good to us except for recently.

He's been a good eater, eating a large mouse twice a week (that was the feeding schedule that the pet store owner had him on; and for those curious, we got him from Fauna in NYC). We went through his first shed without any problems, however, for the past 2 to 3 weeks he won't eat. We take him into another, smaller tank (10 gallon if I remember correctly) and feed him a pre-killed, thawed mouse, usually around sunset or shortly thereafter. He will usually go for the mouse within 15 minutes, but lately, he won't go for it. He'll actually sit there and stare at the damn thing for about 20 or 30 minutes and not budge a millimeter.

Thus, why I'm here.

His tank conditions are:

Temps: warm side (88.2*F), provided by a UTH, and supplemented with a basking light (only on recently because of how chilly it has been). The cool side I don't have a reading; I'll be getting a thermometer sensor ASAP.

Furnishings are usual water dish, branch to climb on, a plastic plant for hiding in (which he's in right now), and a hideaway thing that you put sphagnum moss in, and substrate is Reptibark by ZooMed. Other than not eating, he looks relatively healthy, and I've seen him drink once during this time. Behavior wise, he's not acting unusual - he'll spend most of the day in one of his hides and will only be super active at dawn/dusk or at night.

Any ideas as to what might be the cause of his hunger strike? Your patience and guidance are very much appreciated!!

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