Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
I bought a cal king snake 1 week ago and the last 2 days its doing nothing but sleep and it doesnt eat food. I have tried 2 live mice of diff sizes. What happens if i put the snake and the mouse in a box is that the snake starts ratteling its tale and attack the mouse but it keeps missing him like 20 times in a row... is that normal? i also tried to feed it out of my hand and it keeps missing. The people at the pet store told me mine was a great eater.... im concerned.
please help me.

Greets,

Narco

Sometimes it takes snakes several days to settle down from the stress of moving to a new home.

Just give him a few days (maybe 3 or 4 more days), and during that time, don't bother him at all. Let him get comfortable and secure in his new cage before you handle him.

As far as feeding, it sounds like he's striking defensively, not to secure food. He's just trying to get the mouse (or you) away from him. When you get ready to try to feed him again, kill the mouse before you put it in the cage or whatever you are feeding him in. Don't feed him live mice. Just put the mouse in the cage with him as quietly and unobtrusively as possible, close the cage and leave him alone. If he's ready to eat, he will.

....is the mouse too big? In addition to oldherper's advice, consider that.
-----
~redmom~
My Email
Herps:
1.0 Normal corn snake "Ed"

Others:
1.0 Blue Betta fish "'Beta' test"
0.1 White/Lemon/beige splotched and spotted hound mix "Angel"

Human pets:
2.0 Children "Matthew" 7 yrs, "Duncan" > 1 yr
1.0 Hubby "Roger"

"Life will find a way." Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) Jurrasic Park

I have to second everything oldherper says. I've had a Cal King for almost 2 years. Only fed him live pinkies twice when I ran out of frozen. First time he attacked, constricted, and ate - I was so proud of him. Next time he was clueless and did the same as yours - lots of striking but no eating.

Leave him alone for several days until you observe him out exploring a bit showing he's getting used to his new home. Then put a fresh killed or f/t in the cage at night, turn out the lights, and go to bed. Odds are great the mouse will be gone in the AM.

By the way, as oldherper said, the tail rattling is a dead giveaway that he's acting defensively and not out of hunger.

Good luck!!

I was just concerned because i thought he was feeling comfortable now since when i got him out of his cage he fell a sleep in my hands and doesnt [bleep] on me anymore hehe.
But ill leave him alone and no i bought the smallest mouse they have its as thick as the snake.
Now i can sleep again =) (he means a lot to me)

Greets,

Narco