Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm kind of getting a little worried. My four year old kingsnake is still not eating. He "sniffs" the mouse, but then ignores it. He hasn' eaten since August 20 (it was a big mouse). He's not dehydrated and he's still active. He's done this before (when he was 2 yrs old) for about five weeks, and then he started eating again. I've thought about trying some mouse scent stuff (i.e. mouse-maker) to see if I can provoke a feeding response. I haven't had him sexed, so I don't even really know if Zorro is a "he". I would really appreciate it if I could get a lot of advice on this matter.

Have you tried live mice?

It is that time of the year for snakes to calm down on their feeding... Your snake could be sensing it's almost time to hibernate.
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Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake
www.captivebredforum.com

This will sound stupid, but I'm afraid a live mouse would kill my snake. He doesn't even attempt to constrict the dead mice. He just bites and starts to swallow. I've tried to move the mice around, but it scares him, and he gets defensive. I don't think he's realized that he's a predator. ~_~

Maybe you can try offering a prey way smaller than usual. Offer a fuzzy or even a pinky....it may be interested. After it you may be able to offer something bigger, or more fuzzies. It worked with mine. You loose nothing by trying n_n good luck

If he normally feeds on f/t - he will quickly figure out the constriction thing. That being said, if he normally feeds on f/t then I doubt a live mouse would be any different than a f/t - and I wouldn't bother trying a live.
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3.0 WC; 0.3 CB L. getula californiae
1.0 CB L. getula nigrita
0.1.1 WC; 0.0.3 CH Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

For what it is worth - my 4' male king stopped eating in September. A couple days ago he took 1 mouse, refused the second.

My 2.5' male kings - usually both eat every feeding. Second to last feeding, only one ate - and only a single hopper. last feeding, only the other ate - a small adult mouse.

It might just be that time of year. I do not want to start brumation until december but if they do decide they aren't going to eat, I'll move it up a few weeks, letting them start when they want to.

My three girls though are still eating like pigs. One of them just laid though, she has an excuse to eat like a pig

All have UTH but perhaps the cooler air is letting them know it is time?
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3.0 WC; 0.3 CB L. getula californiae
1.0 CB L. getula nigrita
0.1.1 WC; 0.0.3 CH Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

My 4' male stopped eating in August, not september, refusing the first (and all) meal offered in September. Took a mouse on 10/2 though.
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3.0 WC; 0.3 CB L. getula californiae
1.0 CB L. getula nigrita
0.1.1 WC; 0.0.3 CH Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

Thanks to everyone for all of the responses. I'm going to see if he'll eat today. Wish me luck!

They do know their own bodies far better than we do. I'd been feeding my WC fem Cal King rat pups since late Feb. She stopped eating them in Sept. (Last year it was Oct.) and has slowed down her feedings in both size(hoppers or sm. mice) and frequency(biweekly).

reako45

My Cal king finally ate today after 7 weeks! Thank you all for being so helpful and patient with me.