Reptile & Amphibian Forums

2 weeks ago I caught 2 copperheads. One had mites and I want to thank you guys for your responses, problem solved. The problem now is that the one that had mites has fed twice so far but the one that I really want to keep is not eating. He looks very healthy and fat. I want to let one go but I don't want to let the one that is feeding go until I'm sure the other will do well in captivity. My question to you nice people is this, How long can I keep this animal safely before I must let it go? Is it uncommon for a newly caught copperhead not to eat for a while? I caught these animals high on a mountain without a stream in sight, so They must have been feeding on rodents. One of them pooped out a sparrow wing.Thanks guys, Brian

I recently acquired one that took over a month to eat.

Snakes can go months without food, so I wouldn't worry too much yet.

Try a variety of food sources. Frogs, salamanders, as you mentioned....baby birds. Since you mentioned birds, I'm guessing this is an adult snake. Another option that I've heard people rave about are African Soft Fur Rats. They can be purchased online, or at reptile shows.

In the end, what got mine to eat was simply leaving a thawed pinky in the cage on top of a log for about 4-5 days.

How do you know he's a "he"? If it looks fat and healthy, could be a gravid female. It would be perfect timing for that to be the explanation. And would definitely explain the not feeding problem. Got any pics? What subspecies are they? Copperheads are the best.

I also thought of this. It may be a gravid she. I do have pics but not being very good with computers, I'll have time to try sunday.

What's your cage setup like? Putting a small hide in the cage often helps with finicky feeders. Makes them feel secure and facilitates a "feeding frame of mind". When you see the snake positioned inside the hide with its head poised at the entrance, give it a mouse. If you get a strike, leave the room so the snake can come out and eat undisturbed. Also, make sure your temps are good. Copperheads, im my experience, don't like it too warm (i.e. > 90F) for too long.

Regards,
WK

BTW, check out the red mites on this little wild copperhead. Glad you were able to get rid of your snake's mites. What did you end up doing?

No one had mentioned it yet, but as far as your copperhead not eating, and it's fat and healthy, it might be in a shed cycle.

You have plenty of time before you start worrying. Also, give it a hide-box so it can feel secure.

Randal

As far as being in the shed cycle, I really don't think so. The color of this animal is picture perfect, of which I hope to be able to show you guys sunday.

Right now it is in a 20 gal. aquarium with newspapper. I have a beautiful cage waiting. I just want to be sure I truly beat the mites. I used a no-pest strip for 3 days in the aquarium. I cut a small piece about 3/4 inch by 1 1/2 inches and put it in a small plastic container and put holes in the top.I took out the water and the next day there were hundreds of dead mites on the papper. I'm going to order Prevent-amite and spray the new cage just to be safe.

Thanks for all your support guys. I guess, as soon as I get my Prevent-amite and spray the cage, I'll put him in a better environment and hopefully IT will be secure enough to eat. Thanks, Brian

I'm sure others made these recommendations:

1) the snake could be gravid and ready to pop any day. Depending on where you live, this is the time of year when copperheads are giving birth - you might want to make sure your cage is "baby proof" as you could be in for quite a surprise

2) the snake could be going into a shed cycle. wild snakes are much more apt to not feeding during these cycles

3) I'm assuming you are keeping these snakes in separate cages, if not, DO!

4) Provide a thick substrate of forest humus, scatter a nice layer of dead leaves on top (oak works well) and then scatter around some nice dead limbs and a few hide areas. Oftentimes, they just need to feel secure. Keep a low light affect from a UV full spectrum - in this set up you'll actually enjoy watching your copperhead!

Hope that helps

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center

>>2 weeks ago I caught 2 copperheads. One had mites and I want to thank you guys for your responses, problem solved. The problem now is that the one that had mites has fed twice so far but the one that I really want to keep is not eating. He looks very healthy and fat. I want to let one go but I don't want to let the one that is feeding go until I'm sure the other will do well in captivity. My question to you nice people is this, How long can I keep this animal safely before I must let it go? Is it uncommon for a newly caught copperhead not to eat for a while? I caught these animals high on a mountain without a stream in sight, so They must have been feeding on rodents. One of them pooped out a sparrow wing.Thanks guys, Brian
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Everyone's advice so far has been excellent, and you should definitely prepare for if it is a gravid female.

as a personal anecdote, I had a WC copperhead female that did not eat for 10 months despite my best efforts(could not be rereleased as it had no site data). got extremely skinny before it finally took a large green treefrog. after that it became a voracious eater and quickly became one of the fattest snakes I've ever owned.