Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would need some help from experienced people.
I have a Lampropeltis Triangulum Sinaloae (Sinaloan Milksnake) for 2.5 years now, since she was a young 3-4 months old baby snake. She never had any problem and always ate perfectly, 1 mouse a week.
The terrarium conditions are stable and did not change. She does not eat for nearly 3 weeks now, and I tried giving her 1 new mouse each week with no success.
What can be wrong and what should I do?
Is she in danger?
For how long can she endure like this without eating before dying?

Please, I am really in need of assistance. Thank you all very much for your time and patience, and forgive me any typing errors, English is not my main langue.

All the best.

SHE IS IN NO DANGER AT THIS POINT. SOMETIMES SNAKES WILL NOT EAT FOR SOME WEEKS ON END. WHY DONT YOU TRY A LIZARD. THIS SOME TIMES WORKS ON MILKSNAKES AND KINGSNAKES, THEY LOVE LIZARDS, THIS MIGHT WORK ....GOOD LUCK

Michael, provided your snake is in good condition, it can go without food for several months. You refer to it as a female...has she had any contact with a male? Females go off feed during this time of year when they are producing eggs. Has she shed recently? Females usually lay their eggs about 12-15 days after shedding. Males may also stop feeding during the breeding season which is now. Are you sure it's a female? As long as it appears otherwise healthy, it should be O.K.

Hello and thank you for your message. The snake has been alone the whole time, never in contact with any other animal, so there is no chance at all for her to be pregnant. I believe to be a female because when I got her, it was made a sexing exam to check that and they confirmed to be a she, but I can't be fully positive on this since I am no expert myself, and they could be wrong. So I can't know with full certainty it is a female.

Is it possible for the last several mice that I bought to be ruined somehow? Is there any way for me to know if she is not eating them because they are no good?

Many of my milks are also beginning to act odd. It's the time of year and some will refuse to feed until spring next year and others will feed on smaller food items but infrequently - every month, not every week.
Keep the temperature as usual and offer smaller food items every 2-4 weeks and plan to move the snake into a cool area this fall.
Good luck, Jeff
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Politics' is made up of two words, 'poli,' which is Greek for 'many,' and 'tics,' which are blood-sucking insects.- Gore Vidal

I kinda notice her "sneezing" lately more than usual. Or maybe it is only me that now am more focus on it so I notice it more. Dunno.
Could this mean anything?

"sneezing" lately more than usual....It shouldn't be "sneezing" at all!!!! Sounds like it could be a respiratory problem or infection. If the snake is opening its mouth for air or making noises such as "sneezing", you need to see a reptile vet...unless you are knowledgeable about the proper antibiotics to dose it with. good luck

Yes that is probably an upper respiritory infection - which also why your snake isn't eating. If your snake is only "sneezing" and not opening its mouth a lot, you might be able to treat her at home, but you will have to be vigilant, and continue treatment until after all symptoms are completely gone.

The most important thing is to raise the temperature by 5 to 10 degrees F. This has the same effect as a fever in mammals - it helps the immune system. Also, change the substrate twice weekly and offer a smaller water dish. You are trying to keep the humidity low, as high humidity and low temperatures are what caused the infection in the first place.

If you caught the infection early on, you can probably save your Sinaloan milk snake with the above procedures. If the infection has been going on for more than a few weeks, or if the snake begins opening its mouth to breath, bring her into a vet right away. I hope your snake gets better.

Best of luck,
Pinstripe