I got a new this year cape gopher in sept? from the local expo. so he is small. I have him in a 20L with several similar sized corns. I can't get this guy to eat for nothin. tried mice and gerbil newborn live. and frozen thawed mice baby. nothin. i've force fed him twice. The guy I bought from says to make him have his own feeding tote be his home for a week first. tried that. fed and left it over night. didn't care. yesterday tried a newborn gerbil and a small anole. pulled him out of the 20L and put them all together over night. nothin. plenty active. pissed at me half the time, but even calm he doesn't eat. 
WTF? ideas???
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Cape gopher not eating
Skyetone
Dec 12, 2010 07:30 PM
Replies (4)
PaulJH
Dec 12, 2010 10:41 PM
Sorry to hear about the feeding problems - bummer.
What are the dimensions of the cage?
How many corn snakes is it housed with?
What are the temps (or what's your heating setup)?
What else is in the cage (e.g. hides, water bowls, etc.)?
How long (since the last meal) before you tried feeding again?
Skyetone
Dec 13, 2010 12:20 PM
he has 4 buddys a small half log hide. it's a 20long so 24x12x12? temps are static from the house. 12 on and 12 off on light. about two weeks plus between feedings.I had normal gophers and loved there energy. but crave colors in my snakes. was hopin this cape would be a good solution....
PaulJH
Dec 13, 2010 12:37 PM
I'm with DISCERN -- sounds like one stressed little snake!
You'll need to get it it's own cage with an appropriate temperature gradient, suitable hides, etc then let it settle in for a week or so before attempting another feed (also, stick with rodents and err on the small side until it's eating well).
Good luck,
Paul
DISCERN
Dec 12, 2010 10:50 PM
Your cape gopher is very stressed! The fact he is in a 20 L is possibly one of the reasons he is not eating. Second, he is housed with other snakes. That alone is a big time stresser.
Cape gophers are very sensitive snakes. They need peace and quiet, and need to feel completely secure. Please put him in his own cage. The cage should be a lot smaller than a 20 L.
Make sure he is not being housed with temps as high as some bulls and kings can stand. Capes do better in slightly cooler temps, like 78-80. Make sure he has a really good hide box.
Read this care sheet as well:
http://www.kingsnake.com/capegopher/
Hope this helps!
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