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I've never had a WC Gopher before so I don't know if what's happening is normal. When I first caught Bandit he looked a bit spindley/dehydrated so I gave him a large fuzzy which he grabbed immediately. About three days later I gave him a small hopper since the fuzzy didn't even make a dent (lump) in him. Then three days later I did the same thing. Then I let him go a week before trying again. This time, though, when I put the mouse in he zipped right on over to it and grabbed it right off just like he usually did but then BLOOP, the mouse was released. Then he would merely hiss and snap at it whenever it came close to him. He finally killed it but wouldn't eat it. He was also grumpy towards me, hissing and threatening and such. His eyes are clear or I'd think he was going to shed. Why the change in attitude, and lack of appitite? Should I worry?
Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.
MissHisssss

Well, the most likely thing is that he's just not hungry and wants to be left alone. He may also be getting ready to start ecdysis. Just let him be for a couple of days and see what happens. If he goes opaque in the next few days, you have a good clue. If he doesn't then offer him food again in two or three days.

Pituophis are known for hissing, striking and posturing when disturbed. Since he is freshly wild-caught, his behavior is certainly not out of the norm.

You might want to get a fresh stool sample at the first opportunity and have it checked for parasites.

I agree it's probably going to shed and may be off food for 10 days to two weeks. If it is like mine...when the eyes clear it will eat again and then shed. Getting a stool sample checked can rule out other problems.

Mike B

Agreed on the above...also my experience with them has been that they are as finicky as a cat sometimes when it comes to food. Perfectly healthy Bull/pines will kill their food just because it irritates them and then just leave it.

I had one Southern pine that would only eat white mice and then only if she was places with it in a wood box! She also bit anyone who handled her except me. She was an extreme, but you get the point.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Thanks ya all. Your words are comforting. I'll give it some time and see what he does. Have a Happy Fourth of July.

MissHisssss

try stunning the rodents but not killing it when you fed him. it's much safer for the snake. next few meals, offer something smaller till he normalizes.........

I was thinkin that too by the way he released it so quick. I even checked for a bite mark, but it may have been too small to see on a now squirmy snake. Oh, and that was going to be my next question. When does one switch to freshed killed after catching a WC? Is now OK? I've only had him a few weeks.

MissHisssss

It wouldn't hurt a thing to try F/T next time you feed him. He may or may not take it, chances are he will if he's hungry. If he only wants live, then try feeding him a small live (stunned but still kicking) mouse, then follow it with a F/T immediately while he's still in the feeding mode. If he's still hesitant to take F/T, just keep trying. He will eventually take it and never look back.