Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About 2 years ago i bought a adult black rat snake from a show in florida. The person i bout him from saif he was about 13-14 years old. He used to feed every oppertunity he had. But things changed a while back. He hasn't eaten in abou 5 months. I have tried everything (live, F/t: Rats,Mice, Chicks) Nothing has worked. He has also become very lethargic. Is his time near? And if so should i intervine to prevent the horrible end that starvation brings?
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1.0 Black Rat
0.0.1 Normal Corn
0.1 Anery Stripe
1.0 Okeetee
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
1.1 blue beauty

Could be just off feed for the winter months?

orlando Fl.
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1.0 Black Rat
0.0.1 Normal Corn
0.1 Anery Stripe
1.0 Okeetee
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
1.1 blue beauty

Your blk rat probaly wanted to brumate[hibernate]I know W.C.blk rats will shut down in the fall regardless of the temp.I shut mines down late Oct every yr and wake them up early Feb[now]...Try cooling him down for a month or so if you can then try feeding him
later Dre'

Five months without eating is a long time for a snake that has been living in Florida. Maybe it is time to take him to a Vet. If there isn't a Vet that knows snakes in your area, or that you can afford, you might see if you can get a Vet or your doctor to give you some Flagyl (metronidazole) to use as an appetite stimulant. One dose is all it takes. (It is given orally.) Keep this in mind, the amount of food a snake needs is related to both its size and temperature. Keeping the snake warm while it is on a long fast is going to cause the snake to loose excessive mass.
The best of luck with your snake. I have two black rats myself, so I will be pulling for you and your snake.

My L.T.C. blackrat shuts down in september and will not eat anything until brumated and warmed up in mid february.