Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click here for Dragon Serpents
Click for ZooMed
Click here for Dragon Serpents

12 year old BP/ now won't eat

herpsbythedozen Jul 05, 2007 09:28 PM

12 years, never an issue. Now,hasn't eaten since 4/25. Initially, had retained eye caps-those are now off, but he is still acting blind, the eyes are dry-looking, and the snake won't eat-he is hunting non-stop X 6 weeks. Offered f/t, live mice/rats. Even a hamster. Not interested in anything-just hunting like he used to whenever it was time to feed him. Doesn't seem to be losing weight. No evidence of mites (after 12 years of no exposure to anything/anyone else, don't know where they would come from anyway. Maintaining humidity at 40-60% as always. Temp is 75-90. Cage is 6 feet long, 3 deep (same tank for 6 years). Changed substrate 6 mos ago from cage carpet to coconut husk/soil mixture. Ate fine for 4 mos then quit. Tried confining in shoebox with prey (f/t)-no luck. Should I keep waiting? I've just never had an issue with this snake before and I am worried. Last stool was normal and approximately 2 weeks after his last feed (3 large mice).

A lot of info, but I was hoping for detailed help. Feel free to email me at k9athlete@verizon.net .

I know this is a dead horse that has been beaten to a pulp, just no one else seems to have a long time established BP that is having this problem.

Replies (3)

bpfreak Jul 05, 2007 09:42 PM

Funny you should say that... I have a 2 year old female that just started doing the same thing... She ALWAYS was my best eater, nailing things right when they got in the cage... She hasn't been as long as your guy with out food (only 1 week) but she has been pacing and 'hunting'. She will even follow the mouse around and put her head right in it's face... nothing...

Sorry i'm really no help, but i hope you can figure out what is wrong.

melindaste Jul 06, 2007 07:54 AM

Has she ever gone off feed at all. My adults are not eating well. I live in pa and the weather has been up and down here. on the hot days I feed they eat like crazy, on the cooler days noone eats. I am sure she is ok. I would wait a week or so try again.

toshamc Jul 06, 2007 11:09 AM

Welcome to the teenage years - seems like I've had a few that would be really reliable feeders but when they start hitting those teenage years their barometer goes a bit wacky - check out that eye make sure there isn't any injury - maybe you can take him in for a quick check up to make sure he doesn't have any parasites or infection you couldn't find - otherwise it sounds rather typical.
-----
Tosha
JET Pythons

Site Tools