My Speckled Kingsnake began refusing to eat 36 days ago and I'm very concerned. A little history on this snake for you guys out there who may have some insights for me...

First, I live in east central Mississippi and I caught this specimen wild outside my home in early March of 2004. It was an obvious neonate only about 10 inches long. I have 2 Cornsnakes and a Rainbow Boa as well so I'm no novice to snake ownership. This Kingsnake has always been a good eater during the past 18 months that I've had him only refusing food during ecdysis. He's typically fed F/T mice and rats except for the occasional "live" mouse. He, like my other snakes are on a weekly feeding schedule. He ( i say "he" although I've nevr sexed this snake to know for sure whether it's male or female) has grown readily typically shedding every 30 to 40 days. He began refusing food back in Sept. for no apparent reason. He has been very secluded for the past few weeks (although he did experience a shedding just a few days ago) but that isn't unusual for it. I have attempted to even "tease" feed him but he only strikes at the item and shys away. I don't believe that this refusal to feed has anything to do with the season or changes in the weather since it's kept in my own bedroom (same as my other snakes) and the temps remain constant. Also, he never acted this way at all during last year's winter season. It has had several bowel movements during this period of fasting so I don't believe there is any digestive problem going on. The only change that's taken place during this time is that I relocated him to a new, larger enclosure about a month ago but he'd alredy left off eating about a week before that happened.

So? Any one out there have any experience or insights as to what is happening here? I welcome any advice anyone may have. Thanks.

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