Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I have a JCP, he is about 10 months old. He's been eating regularly every week with no problems. Then all of a sudden he just stopped eating. He has not eaten in two weeks, and when ever I try to offer him a mouse he shys away and tucks his head away. He has never gone more than a week without feeding. What can be the reason why he is not eating? His temps are fine in the tank.

I have found patience to be the best way to handle things when they won't eat. And try to do things differently from time to time (e.g. leaving a frozen thawed in overnight, live, fresh killed, bumping their noses or tails or coil closest to the head, etc.). It is difficult, but remember that they can go quite some time without eating and be just fine. Don't worry unless it starts loosing weight drastically. As far as what brings on the fasting, good question. Switching cages seems to do it about every time here at my place, but who knows what all leads to it. Feel free to give specifics of what you have tried on here and people can give you more suggestions. Good luck, I know how annoying that is!
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Ben

He's been an eating machine for 10 months then all of a sudden he stops. He's been in the same enclosure all along, his temps are fine. I'll try the paper bag trick and see how that works out.

i read in a book once that a theory of why snakes go off feeding sometimes is the same reason young kids do it... they are growing... or in better terms haveing a growth spurt... so your snake might grow an inch or so over the next couple of weeks...
i donno... like i said i read the theory somewhere...

I totally agree with that theory. I have been feeding him like he doesn't have an a**, and I'm surprised because he seems like he should be alot larger than he is now. Plus he hasn't deficated in 3 weeks. I'm not worried about it. He knows he gets offered food once a week whether he takes it or not. I just have to be patient and eventually he'll take it from me.

One simple trick that often (but not always) works for me is to place the snake in a paper lunch bag, with a few pinholes punched in the bag, and a thawed mouse in the bag with the snake. Close the top of the bag securely and leave the snake in there overnight.

George