Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It's been 4 months since I caught my northern copperhead. It had mites when I caught it and you guys suggested the no-pest strip and it worked like a charm. Then I evidently kept it a bit moist and I posted a pic of the blister disease and you guys said that I caught it early and to keep dry and it will come off with its shed, and it did. My snake looks beautiful and still has very good weight. I'm beginning to give up on the gravid idea because it's not getting fatter, just staying the same. Definitely not loosing weight. I've tried live and dead mice, pinkies, small bull frogs and a fresh road killed goldfinch which I thought would work because after I had the snake for about a week, it pooped out a small bird wing. I'm going to the White plains rep. show tomorrow unless it is canceled due to the expected storm. I saw a recent post about a copperhead eating a cicada and I do remember seeing one in a tree right where I caught the snake. I'm considering buying the hissing roaches or another type the size of cicadas and trying that. What do you guys think? Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks Brian

Are you keeping it hydrated? Snakes will often refuse food if they are dehydrated.

I would soak it in shallow water for about 20 min.
I would also give it a hide box. Try that, and leave it alone for a few days. Hopefully it will use the hide and feel comfortable enough to start eating rodents.

I have a water dish in the tank and I see it drinking. I soaked him about a week ago. I do have it in an open aquarium with fir bark substrate. I believe you're right about the cage setup and hide box. I'm going to the reptile show in White Plains NY tomorrow to make every attempt to get a nice cage and hide box. If I can't get one there, I'm going to build one next weekend. Thanks for the replies. How often would you recommend I soak the snake? I tried misting, but I must have done it too much because I caused a minor case of blister disease.

It's been my experience that some wild-caught N. copperheads go off feeding this time of year to prepare for hibernation. In cases like this I give the snakes an abbreviated hibernation cycle. Place the snake in cool dark area for a month. After the month, slowly increase the enclosure temperatures and normal light cycle. Give the snake a week to settle in and offer food. If the snake dosn't eat repeat the process and maybe increase the hibernation duration.

Normally, after the first or in rare cases after the second year the snake no longer require this simulated hibernation, and feed year round.

Mr John White, At what temp.do you simulate hibernation?

I really don't pay much attention to the temperatures. In general a cool, unheated garage or basement as long as the temps don't go below 50°F. I've had success at hibernation temps from 70°F to near 50°F. The higher the enclosure temp, the higher the snake's metabolism which will result in greater weight loss. As long as the snake has good body weight, what little weight is lost will be a non-issue. When the snake is in hibernation provide a hide, use a newspaper substrate, keep the enclosure clean and dry, but provide water in a a non spill-able water dish. Check/clean enclosure and provide fresh water weekly.

John,
Thats good advice. Didn't think of that.
Most copperheads DO go off food this time of year, esp. if your in a northern state. They have to be fooled..
Brian, No need to buy a hide-box, just use a small cereal box or something like that.
Randal

I really want to thank you guys for the help. It's truly appreciated, Brian

I think it's too late in the season for the copperhead to eat. But, often you can get a stubborn copperhead to eat by teasing it with a thawed rodent. Once the snake bites the prey, drop it and leave the snake alone for 12 hours. I don't have any scientific evidence but I think the smell of the snakes own venom starting to digest the rodent triggers or helps to trigger a feeding response.

When the snake comes out of hibernation use the above technique.
I would not recommend feeding amphibians. Stick to f/t mice of the appropriate size.

Ive kept many coppers over the years and a good majority of them start going off feed for burmation early. I have one copperhead right now that goes off feed for atleast 5 months out of every year. I expect him to stop feeding for the year anyday now.

John,

This is Jeremy! How have you been man? Drop me a line with your email address. I hope all is going well with you and the family!

Take care,

Jeremy

The snake could be gravid. It can be somewhat difficult to determine if a young or small female is gravid if she contains only 3 or 4 offspring.

Something to keep in mind especially when preforming enclosure maintenance.