Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,

I am a 9-year-old snake enthusiast. I have a cross between a Brooks Kingsnake and an Eastern Kingsnake who is about 1 year and 2 months old. His name is Kingsley. He has been having trouble eating lately, he has not eaten in one month and I am concerned. I don't know why he is not eating. I think it might be because of hibernation but I am not sure so I wanted to email you all. I have read every snake and kingsnake book I could find and also watch snake shows on Animal Planet and National Geographic channel. I just don't know what to do. Can anyone help me figure out why Kingsley is not eating? I have his habitat set up correctly and he has been eating pinkies and fuzzies very well until recently. His eyes look clear and his skin is shiny. He sheds properly and did a full shed a few weeks ago.

Thanks for your help if you know what's wrong.

From a snake fan,

Sierra

First off, i am VERY impressed with your vocabulary and the manner in which you write... i gotta say you're rather mature for a 9yr old.

i think he's "shutting down" in preparation for hibernation... i got 3 very strong feeders that have already "shut down" don't worry he should be fine brumate him and he should be feeding when it warms up again

also keep it up... i like to see an intelligent "youngsta" ... stick around you may learn a few things here that the kingsnake books don't have (i know i have)

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Thanx
Royal Blue Reptilez

~ZF

LOL....I think he means he has been keeping snakes for nine years.....
If he is actually 9...WOW!!!!
John

Well I don't know if you are nine or if you been keeping snakes for nine years but either way the questions are the same.
How are you heating the cage?? What method Under tank or heat light? What are the room temps and the hot spot temps? What kind of substrate are you using and how many hides? Where is the snake spending his/her time? On the hot end or the cool end? In a damp hide or dry hide. Have you switch feeder size or suppliers? Basically give us your complete setup and any other details you have and maybe we can give you some ideas.

The first idea I have is reducing the feeder size a step or two. Sometimes snakes in the yearling size range revert to smaller food size than what you want to give them.
Good Luck
Jason