Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 4 adult corns that use to eat like champs but havnt eaten in about 3 months. I thought they were just fasting but 1 of them died yesterday. They are all in seperate 30 gal tanks that are 78 deg on cool side and 88 deg on side with the uth. They use to eat 2 adult mice per week but all of them suddenly stopped. I have a rat snake in the same room that has kept his same eating habbits. Please help. I dont want to loose any more of my pets!

If they are all males pre-occupied with mating, that might make some sense as to why the long fasting period, but otherwise it's really impossible to say.

This sounds like it could very well be something other than typical spring-time fasting, especially if there are females involved here. They could have contracted a pathogen or illness, and are transferring it to each other. I would strongly advise a visit to a good knowledgeable reptile vet, that's the only way for you to get a real answer and a diagnosis.

At this point, since there has already been one that died, I wouldn't waste any more time on the forums for a miracle fix, I think the snakes need veterinary care...ASAP!....it sounds like time is of the essence here.

best regards, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

First of all, let me say, that I am sorry for your loss. I know it is very hard to lose a pet.

Second, I agree with Doug in that it sounds like a vet visit is in order if for no other reason than to start ruling things out.

My real reason for posting, however, is to build a little on what Doug was saying in the hopes of making this as much of a learning experience as possible.

Throughout the year there are many, many posts along the lines of my snake won't eat, what is wrong/what can I do? While I can appreciate that the forums are a great place to try to get help and that most people here provide helpful, rock solid answers, the one thing that none of us can do is see, feel, handle, observe the snake in question. Unfortunately, that can be key to assessing whether or not the situation is critical or a wait and see type situation.

Now, this is not a slam on anyone who comes here looking for help. Nor is it a slam on anyone who provides answers to the best of their ability. It is more a plea to have the forum be but one source of information, not the only source. Being able to determine when an animal is fasting as a part of its regular seasonal behavior pattern or whether it is sick is something that is learned with experience. Often times there are clues that can only be gained in the presence of the animal in question. My hope would be that, in addition to utilizing the forums, everyone try to find a local resource that can be utilized as well. One that can be visited, or visit you, to help with questions that may become critical situations. I recognize that this may be pie in the sky for some but I would encourage everyone to seek out someone close to them that may be able to help when they need it.

As I said, I am very sorry for your loss. Good luck with your other snakes.

Rob

Just to practice what I preach....I am in Bloomsburg, PA and have been keeping and breeding snakes for 15 years. I would be happy to help anyone in my area, if I can, if the need arises. Heck, I would be happy to communicate with anyone in my area as well since I also often have questions....LOL.

Rob

>>Just to practice what I preach....I am in Bloomsburg, PA and have been keeping and breeding snakes for 15 years. I would be happy to help anyone in my area, if I can, if the need arises. Heck, I would be happy to communicate with anyone in my area as well since I also often have questions....LOL.
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>>Rob

Rob,
Great post above and great follow-up.
Sounds like it's the same in your area as mine.
There just doesn't seem to be anyone in my area to talk snakes with.
great advise
Jimmy
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

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I get a lot of similar emails. I try to give keepers some ideas of things to try, but there is nothing like being there in person to see, touch, listen to, and evaluate the snake. Some clues are very subtle.

I am almost always at the local herp society meetings in Ft. Myers, Florida (www.calusaherp.org), along with other seasoned keepers and breeders. We often help newer keepers with questions, or snake sexing, or egg binding issues, etc. Anyone is welcome to come if you are in our area.

Most cities have a herp society, and most societies have at least a few experienced herpers who may be able to help out in person, or at least recommend a good, local, herp vet. Check out the tab at the top of kingsnake.com that says "clubs" to find out if there is one in your area, if you don't already know of one.

guys this is a great post. i have spoke with alot of newbies in the hobby. if it wernt for me talking ot kathy love, terry dunham, bill murry and many of you from here. like everyone that posted with my issue finding blood in the cage after breeding. that i would of gave up. in turn i took the knoledge i gained from everyone and passed it on to other family members and friends that never thought they would like snakes in general. this is my third season breeding so everyone i have asked crazy questions to thanks. and kathy thanks for walking me through dealing with my very first clutch of all slugs when i started in the hobby.

ok skipped the like where i said i got so frustrated i would of given up ... lol

THERES NO GIVING UP IN BASEBALL...... i mean err um... cornsnakes!!!

~kin
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~Sober Serpents~
www.freewebs.com/soberserpents
Corns, Creamsicles, A Black Rat, Thayeri, Cal Kings, A Jungle Corn(Just A Pet), A Ball Python, A Bearded dragon, Leopard Geckos, Green Anoles, a Snapping turtle, and a white cheeked mud turtle

lol kin .... i dont think i would ever give up now. but could you imagine your first clutch ever being all slugs.. i had just bought that candy cane from a local pet shop.
Tom

considering my first year i only had 1 clutch and a surprise 2nd clutch.... i'd be devastated.... but i am getting into Thayeri and almost all first time females throw slugs the first year... which is crummy, but they are just too gosh darn cute!!!! snakes are what keeps me alive!!! the anticipation.... i have my clutches this year and tomorrow will be day 60.... UGH and then i see on the ball python forum how people cut the eggs... i'm not that bad.... i'd rather wait.... just to make sure but i enjoy watching what others get every year.... i root for my friends.... and hope they get something really cool if i dont

~kin
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~Sober Serpents~
www.freewebs.com/soberserpents
Corns, Creamsicles, A Black Rat, Thayeri, Cal Kings, A Jungle Corn(Just A Pet), A Ball Python, A Bearded dragon, Leopard Geckos, Green Anoles, a Snapping turtle, and a white cheeked mud turtle