Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My corn is a little over 4 years old & is 5 feet long. I usually feed him about 5-8 large mice every 10-14 days or so. A few months ago a gave him his 1st rat (a large) and he ate it w/no problems at all. 2 or 3 weeks later, I offered him another large rat. After a couple of missed strikes at it, he began to completely ignore it, as if he wasnt interested. So I figured he probably wasn't hungry. 1 week later I offer him a small rat & he took it w/out hesitation. The other day I offered him a large rat, he refused it. Then I offer him a small rat which he also refused. Finally I offer him a mouse and accepted it. After eating the mouse I gave him hopper rat & he devoured that too. Has anybody else experienced something like this w/their corn or any other species of snakes before? & why all of a sudden would he not want small (or larger) rats anymore?

Any positive advice and/or comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance....

It sounds like he's trying to brumate on his own, due to the decreased photoperiod of our shorter, winter days. He should eat when he's hungry, and I wouldn't worry about it until then.

This part may not be as "positive" as you were wanting...but it also sounds as though you are over feeding your snake.

An adult male really only needs one large mouse once a week, at most. One every 10 days is really optimal.
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Darin Chappell
Hillbilly Herps
PO Box 254
Rogersville, MO 65742

Thanks for taking the time to give me some positve input & advice. I will definetely take your input into consideration.

Glad you accepted it in the manner in which it was intended.

Good luck!
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Darin Chappell
Hillbilly Herps
PO Box 254
Rogersville, MO 65742