Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a Louisiana Milk Snake, which, to my knowledge has not
eaten in 9 months. I placed him in a tank under the carport so
that hopefully he would be within his natural environment as
closely as possible. He shed completely last month, this was
the only time he has ever shed. He refuses everything I have
given him. He is still very active but just refuses to eat.
Is it possible that he is surviving off of bugs, insects and
water? Do snakes eat bugs? These are the only possiblities
that I can come up with as to the reason for him to still be alive. ......... I have tried to force feed him and he still
refuses. I need advice. How is he able to maintain his
survival?

If the temps are very low, then slow metabolism would account for ability to survive w/o food for so long. It would also account for the lack of appetite. What have the temps been?

I live on the gulf coast, the temps are always warm. He was
a juvenile when I caught him.

I think that actually measuring the temperature is in order. Perhaps you may be surprised that it's rather low. And if you find it's high enough now, it was likely lower during the recent winter. For best feeding response, the animal should be no lower than high 70's and preferably in the low 80's. I think skinks and small snakes would be a good choice to try to get him to eat (but, you've probably tried these already). Those are pretty animals... good luck with him.

If it's a wild caught and you haven't been able to get it to feed in 9 months, it's time to let it go before it starves to death.

Thanks. I released him this morning in the same area I
had caught him.

LA milks juveniles eat primarily skinks. My experience with amaura is that they will readily consume ground skinks as juveniles and pinkie mice as adults.

If you don't feed it, it will starve to death. It is not eating insects.
-----
Chris Harrison