Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a Milksnake of about 2.5 years old. Never ate well, and usually the mouse will dance around on its head for 1-2 days before deciding to eat. Lately, the snake will not eat at all. Seems very healthy, but unusually more active in the tank and more looking to escape. Nothing in the tank has changed at all.

Curious if anyone has some explanation for the behavior..

Thanks,

Bill

Well, you should never keep a live mouse in with a snake. It can do serious harm to a snake. Ever seen what mice can do to wood? Imagine the same damage on a snakes back.

That said. Make sure the tank is the right size (atleast a 20g long depending on the species of milk). Make sure there is a warm end (mid 80s) and a cool end. Hiding places at both warm and cool ends. Make sure the bedding is fresh and deep enough ( about 2 inches), always have clean water. Make sure the hiding spots are just big enough for the snake to fit in. Dont feed live (prekill), dont handle the snake for a few days before and after a meal. Feed at night, right before you go to bed and dont peak after you place the mouse in until morning. Make sure there are not bright lights on, and if you heat with lamps that they are shut off at night.

The snake seems to be really stressed, which kills thier feeding response.

Hope that helps,
Vinny
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“There is a grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that whilst this planet has gone on cycling according to the fixed laws of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.” -C. Darwin, 1859

Natural Selection Reptiles

I agree with not leaving live rodents in with your snake unless you are feeding a rat pinky or pup that can not harm your snake. One thing to consider at that age is if the snake is more interested in breeding than feeding. Males can become more active when looking for a mate and some of our females move around quite a bit more when they are ovulating. Just a thought.
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Thanks!

Joe Exposito
Thoroughbred Exotics, LLC
www.thoroughbredexotics.com

Sometimes feeding live can elicit a stronger feeding response but as others have said, this can be dangerous. If you feed a snake mature live rodents then you absolutely need to monitor the process closely. If it doesn't eat pretty soon take the live prey out and try again later. Check out the below link to see a good example of what can happen if you leave a snake unattended with and adult rodent. If you do want to leave live food unattended with a snake then instead of an adult mouse you should try a rat fuzzy.

If you choose not to feed live then following the directions in the first response should work well.

Feeding Live Caution:
Link

drop in a few
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Doug L