Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have had him (I have never had him sexed...I just guess) for about 3 years. He is approximately 8 -9 years old. I got him from someone who wasn't taking very good care of him. He has grown quite a bit since in my care and was eating fairly regularly. (I had to make the adjustment from live to frozen).

He hasn't eaten anything in about 2 months. I have tried feeding him in the morning, at night, with a hide, without, in the corner, slightly warmer, moving (with tongs)...it doesn't seem to be working. The last time, he sat on top of the mouse for almost a week and would rattle his tail and puff up anytime I approached (he has always been a little grumpy and strike ready). I tried a new hide box tonight (actually a large pipe) and he investigated the food, then hid under his shavings.

I don't want to go back to live food (he was bit REALLY close to his eye before and so he stops pursuing the food item if it looks him in the face). I am worried.

I am pretty sure there is nothing wrong with the frozen mice (I also have a corn snake, a less picky corn, but he eats them). What should I do.??? I don't want to lose him!

I took this picture of him on saturday he still looks healthy (I think).

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Hangin with the Herps
ZZ

I've had my California Kingsnake for over 4 years, since it was a baby and it had occasionally gone off feeding also. I know how your feeling it's quite stressful. In matter of fact my California Kingsnake hasn't fed in the last 3 weeks, he usually eats every week. What I have to remember is all snakes instinctively want to go into burmation and it's a natural cycle. I don't burmate my snakes (10 of them), but occasionally they do this even though I know the temps and light cycles are good. This not feeding when it happens is stressful, but I know it's fall and going to be winter soon and snakes are very intuitive to the environment and earth's rythms and cycles. Your snake looks very healthy in the pic and if I were you I would just keep the temps correct, don't change the light cycles, and maybe continue to try and feed every 1 or 2 weeks. What I am going to do with my adult male is keep monitoring the terrarium enivornment and try to feed every two weeks. I know it's hard and stressful, more annoying for me, but just relax and continue to practice good snake husbandry skills and the king will feed again and try not to worry about it. Good luck.
Happy Herping,
Uncloudy

Excellent advice Uncloudy.

I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your advice. I have a Bearded Dragon so I spend most of my time in that forum...it is refreshing to know that this forum is just as friendly.

Just when you think you know what is going on...King does something to surprise me.

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Hangin with the Herps
ZZ

What a cuitie! Who is she?

Here is my 15 month old girl holding a hypo brooksi X eastern. She is surprisingly gentle with them and always helps dad while cleaning the cages.

Thank you bluerosy.
That is my daughter she is FHA (Future Herpatologists of America). She loves to handle her snakes and gets fussy when I say they have to go back into their cages. Getting the kids involved in snakes helps stamp out some of the stigma and fear of snakes that is taught and learned by others ignorance of snakes. Nice pic with your 15 month old too, that's awesome.
Happy Herping,
Uncloudy