Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,

I'm new to this site and fairly new to snakes as pets too.

I bought a Honduran Milk in February this year. He's about 18 months to 2 years old. (I don't have the hatch date). He's in good health, measures about 4'6" and is a good weight. He's always been a good feeder (he even fed when he first came home) and has never refused to feed before now. His vivarium is set to the right temps. He's a very chilled out snake as a general rule, never bites and is generally happy to be handled.

The last three times I've tried to feed him, he's refused to eat. He's also become suddenly very active in the last few days. He's waking up early evening time and spends all his time trying to get out of his vivarium. He's so vigorous at this that substrate gets shoved about all over the place, and his water bowl and hides get pushed everywhere.

I've been bringing him out when he does this. as soon as he gets out he calms right down and is just happy to mooch about as usual but when he goes back in the vivarium he just tries to get back out again.

Any suggestions about why he's behaving like this? And what should I do? I know that snakes do fast from time to time. But how long should I let him go without eating before I worry? Should I fetch him out more if that's what he seems to want?

Thanks!

Joy

This not necessarily unusual for this time of year. Refusing food is often part of it.

In the wild, snakes would be moving to areas to better deal with cooler or drier or wetter conditions, yes, even in Central America. Seasonal changes can bring about restlessness.

Make sure to have a large cool area in the cage, and you would do well to give the snake a moist hide (CoolWhip container filled with sphagnum moss works great, big hole cut into lid).

But yeah, I have some Nelson's milks, and they always get restless in Spring and Fall. They will stop feeding on their own in a few weeks. In Fall, providing a big cool area helps alot. As long as the snake can stay cool and not burn calories quickly, they are fine. You may still provide a warm spot, but use an undertank heater. Lights are not good for milksnake cages - too dessicating.

Also, check for snake mites just in case. Tiny black dots moving around on the snake or in the water bowl.