Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have WC Great Basin Gopher Snake (about 3' long) that I got about three weeks ago. The snake is incredibly docile and has never hissed or struck at any of us. Two days after capturing it the snake regurgitated two fledgling robins. Next I offered a live mouse (about 1/2 grown) about 5 days after the regurgitation. The snake refused that offering (and the unfortunately my daughter made a pet out of the darn mouse after I removed it from the snake cage). 2 days later I offered it another 1/2 grown mouse and it nailed that one. Now it has been a week and a half since the snake ate the mouse and so far there has been no interest in feeding again. I figure I should just keep offering every couple of days or so until the snake feeds. Any other advice on this one? How often should a snake this size eat a 1/2 grown mouse?

Also, at times the snake will go over to the water and submerge its entire head and about the first 4 inches of its body under water. Is this how they drink? How oftern do they drink?

What's the cage temperature? Probably the single most common reason for regurgitation and lack of interest in eating is a cage that is too cold. I prefer a day/night temperature cycle with the cage's cool end around 82 F and the warm end around 85 F during the day. At night the timer turns the heat off and lets the cage drop to room temperature.

Paul Hollander

Another point to be made, you say it's wild caught, it could be carrying parasites of one kind or other. And you say it wanted to dunk itself in the water dish. That could be a sign of mites. Being it's wild caught I'd treat for mites. Plus as stated, make sure your temps are right. And do have a secure hiding place for it. Some animals need the extra security of a hide to get them to feed. Good luck.

hi

an answer to your question is it is getting ready to shed. I have had numerous great bason gophers and i have even bred them. I have a 3foot male and it did that a few weeks ago and it just shed.