Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I current have a wild caught Eastern Milksnake that’s not eating. I think I’ve tried everything, and I’m all out of tricks. I would release it but its too cold now. I know he’ll be fine until it does warm up, however, he does look really hungry and he drinks a lot, so I feel I should try more. I’ve tried frozen/thawed mice, mice scented with toads and frogs, wrapping a freshly shed snake skin around a thawed mouse, and cutting open the mouse head of a thawed mouse…nothing works. Oh and I acquired this snake because a homeowner found it in their basement stuck to a glue trap for their mouse problem (and they poisoned the mice as well). Any tips?

Find a nice cool and dark place to put him until spring. Make sure he has clean bedding and change his water every week. In a month or so, try warming him up and after a few days, offer him some food. Easterns won't really eat this time of year because they should be brumating (which is what yours was more than likely trying to do in your friends basement). Good luck.

you should try some green anoles, or skinks, possibly feeder snakes. i agree about brumating it though. I've kept and released lots of E milks. and they can be very fussy and some can eat everything you put in with them. if all else fails release it in the spring.
wayne

Considering that it is winter time, and a lot of eastern milks go off feed in the fall... That could be why your snake isn't eating.

Brumate it until April. If it doesn't feed then, release it.
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Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
www.kingpinreptiles.com

I agree with everyone elses suggestion to brumate.
All the e.milks I have kept would take nothing bigger than a fuzzie.
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"Upon Thy Belly Thou Shalt Go"