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Rat Snake Problem - Any suggestions???

LM71 Nov 05, 2009 05:19 PM

I have a 09 black rat that I caught in my yard, under some wood. The little guy was about 12" when I caught him, so I figured he hadn't been alive for too long.(caught it in early September). I thought since it was so young, that this would be a good one to keep and tame, albeit a wild snake.

Things started out real well, I fed it newborn pinks every 5 days or so, and it took them readily, very aggresivley, and not shy at all. All of a sudden, in mid October, he just flat stopped eating. I have done nothing different, the temp is about right accoding to everything I know, (mid 70's to low 80's in day in cage), with a slight dropdown at night, though heating pad is still on in warm end of tank. Room temp drops as low as 62-64, but NOT in tank, it stays warmer, because of pad. I am just concerned for the snake, because I just don't know what to do different. I have offered it food 3 times since it's October feeding, and it just refuses. It does act interested, and stares at it for minutes, then crawls away. It has been about 3 weeks since it fed, I hope to figure something out soon. The snake looks super healthy, and is active. Thank you for any help, it will be appreciated.

Replies (4)

DMong Nov 05, 2009 07:12 PM

It's instinct to brumate(hibernate) is kicking in now. It can tell the change of season regardless of the temps it is kept at due to the shorter length of days(photoperiod).

Go ahead and let it brumate in the low sixties, and in a darker part of the house for a couple months, this will keep the snake from using up it's body reserves in the warmer cage environment. Just give it some tight hides and keep fresh water available to it and it will be fine.

When things warm back up, it should act and feed just fine once again.

~Doug
-----
"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

tspuckler Nov 06, 2009 08:03 AM

I agree with Doug.

The snake is "pre-programmed" to hibernate and will not eat no matter what your cage conditions are.
I think it's a pretty safe bet it will start eating again after 2-3 months of being cooled at 50-60 degrees.

Tim

Ohio Black Rat that I found this summer:
Third Eye
Third Eye

LM71 Nov 06, 2009 10:39 AM

Thanks fellows, I apprciate the help.

jhnscrg Nov 10, 2009 06:38 PM

Well, all my Ratsnakes in Florida used to go off their feed at this time of year, too. No matter what I did.
Was the light cycle & possibly barometer changes.
Don't have a real solution for it, you may have to go ahead & let him brumate.

Matthew

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