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King Not Eating

jayman21 Sep 29, 2004 02:22 PM

Hey my california king has not eaten since the 18th (going on 11 days now) and i'm really worried and not quite sure what to do. I thought because it's a baby still (almost 11 months) and isn't shedding (already shed 2 weeks ago) that it would start eating atleast every 5-7 days no problem, but it hasn't eaten in so long . It just snifs it and crawls over it, what should i do? Thanks.

Replies (4)

chrish Sep 29, 2004 03:18 PM

but it hasn't eaten in so long . It just snifs it and crawls over it, what should i do?

Relax. Your snake hasn't eaten in 11 days. If it hadn't eaten in 11 weeks, your concern would be justified. Check to make sure that its temps, etc. are correct and leave it alone for a few days. Then offer its normal food at dusk and see how it does. If it doesn't take it, just wait a few days and try again.

That's why I enjoyed breeding Rough-scaled Sandboas for years. They taught me not to worry. My males rarely ate more than 6 times in a year, and they did fine like that for the 12 years I had them.
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Chris Harrison

Keith Hillson Sep 29, 2004 09:55 PM

>>but it hasn't eaten in so long . It just snifs it and crawls over it, what should i do?
>>
>>Relax. Your snake hasn't eaten in 11 days. If it hadn't eaten in 11 weeks, your concern would be justified. Check to make sure that its temps, etc. are correct and leave it alone for a few days. Then offer its normal food at dusk and see how it does. If it doesn't take it, just wait a few days and try again.
>>
>>That's why I enjoyed breeding Rough-scaled Sandboas for years. They taught me not to worry. My males rarely ate more than 6 times in a year, and they did fine like that for the 12 years I had them.
>>-----
>>Chris Harrison
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caliherper Sep 29, 2004 07:29 PM

Have you tried putting the snake in a small container with the pinkie? This may work.
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Lisa

0.0.1 50/50 California Kingsnake
0.0.1 Arizona Mountain Kingsnake
0.0.2 W/C Kingsnake Eggs (due to hatch around 10/8/04)

rearfang Sep 30, 2004 07:59 AM

Eleven days is nothing. This is one reason I [bleep] about this popular practice of trying to feed every four days or so. Mine eat once every TWO WEEKs and maintain excellent weight and health (they just grow slower). Occasionally they skip a meal andd go a month without food-no harm done.

There are two simple possibilities. One: he's not hungry.
Two: Winter is coming and instinct might be compelling him with a urge to estivate (hybernate.

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

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