Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Florida Kingsnake has not eaten in a several weeks. He has always been a big eater. Last winter, the first winter I had him, he ate right through the winter with no problems. This year, he stopped December 14. I know it's not that long ago for a snake, but as I said, he has always been a big eater. He has just finished a shed cycle, and usually eats right after. His breathing seems to be ok. He is easy to handle, and I put my ear close to his head and can't hear anything that suggests he has a respitory infection.

He is still very active. Should I have him checked for RI anyway? Or, is he looking for a cooler place to lay low? Not sure which way to go with this. Do captive bred snakes instinctively want to brumate?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Ray

I know you'll get good, knowledgeable replies here. Mine isn't one of them though. I just wanted to share my recent experience because although I now have three snakes, this is the first winter through which I've owned snakes.

My king, Belle, doesn't seem to care what temperature it is. She wants food and I give it to her out of fear that if I don't, she'll scare the hell out of me some night when I catch her raiding the fridge. Even when temps are down in her cage, when she's done digesting, she is extremely active (presumably hunting).

My kisatchie corn, however, definitely seemed to flip a switch this winter, around the middle of December just as you said yours did. He has shed since then, and I can get him to eat a little, but he has definitely slowed WAY down in both appetite and activity even though I have NOT changed the temps in his cage.

So, to answer your question: maybe, I don't know?
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1.1 Florida Kingsnake
1.0 Kisatchie Cornsnake

Thanks Eddie.
Bluerosy confirmed my suspicions.

Cool him and warm him up in the spring. Every couple days we get a post that says my kingsnake has stopped eating. It is what they do this time of year. Just because he didn't do it last year attests that he is acclimated and wants to cyle. if you keep him warm he will eat up his reserves and starve.
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ÌÏËÙÍ ËÁÂE!

Bluerosy...who shamelessly takes every opportunity he can to post a picture of his Peabino.

Thank you!

I put my cal king in the spare bedroom (it stays between 55 and 60 degrees) in a 10gallon tank to brumate... He's got his bowl of water and lots of carefresh to hide in and he hasn't come out of hiding since...

my question is, will that size tank be ok for the winter, and are the temps going to be cool enough to keep him from using up his food stores and starving?
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~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings
1.0 Mali Uromastyx
1.0 Brooksi
0.1 Red Belly Piranha
1.0 Quarter Horse
1.0 Australian Shepherd

No that's perfect. If he comes out and gets restless then it is time to revaluate.

They also like small cramped places during their winter rest. I small box for him to cram into would not be a bad idea.
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ÌÏËÙÍ ËÁÂE!

Bluerosy...who shamelessly takes every opportunity he can to post a picture of his Peabino.

I did something right for once lol... And I've got the perfect box for him, so I'll put that in tonight when I get home from work...

Thanks...
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~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings
1.0 Mali Uromastyx
1.0 Brooksi
0.1 Red Belly Piranha
1.0 Quarter Horse
1.0 Australian Shepherd

Yeah I think I'll turn Belle's temps down more. They're cooler than they were before but she hasn't changed her behavior at all. I have a dimmer switch I'll put on the UTH and back it down till she quiets down. She just ate and has digested that meal so i guess now is as good a time as any to do that.
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1.1 Florida Kingsnake
1.0 Kisatchie Cornsnake

depends on how cool the room stays that she is in and if it is dark.
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ÌÏËÙÍ ËÁÂE!

Bluerosy...who shamelessly takes every opportunity he can to post a picture of his Peabino.