Snake not acting right

It is about time for my snake to eat, but wont eat. I normally wouldnt worry but the snake acts hungry and will strike at the rat, but wont latch on he has dont this 5-6 times today it is also yawning a lot. None of this is normal for my snake I dont know if I need to worry or not.

Hi,

Those sound like defensive strikes rather than feeding strikes.

We will need more info on set up, shedding etc before we can be sure though.


dr del

I do believe its getting ready to shed he/she is looking dull, but normally it just refuses to eat and wont even attempt to eat. The set up is all the same as it has been from day one it has its two pots it likes to hide in, heat rock, water nothing fancy.

Is the heat rock your only heat source? Those things are notorious for causing burns. You really need to get rid of the heat rock and use a UTH and or a lamp.

I know I need to get a under tank heat pad I just havent had the extra cash for one. The size I need is $35 dont sound like much, but to us right now thats a lot of money. LOL. I have the heat rock under the shavings in the cage so he isnt laying directly on the rock.

You need to get a UTH, a thermostat, and a decent thermometer. I think if you get your temps under control you will solve the feeding issue. Also, when you feed, feed at night and only leave the prey in for 15min or do. Any more than that is just stressful.

I will give all that a shot. Thanks for the tips.

You can also cover three sides so the snake feels more secure and not out in the open. Snakes are very vulnerable when they eat.

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Originally Posted by tanyawetzel

It is about time for my snake to eat, but wont eat. I normally wouldnt worry but the snake acts hungry and will strike at the rat, but wont latch on he has dont this 5-6 times today

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If he has some weight on him wait a week or so before offering again. Trying to feed him 5-6 times in a day is probably just stressing him out.

If he's striking but not latching on he's not striking out of hunger. He's striking because he's scared and freaked out and cold and unhappy. Stop offering more than once a week.

Heat rocks should be outlawed and not even offered in pet stores. I have seen more snakes badly burned by these than any other object.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Willie76

Heat rocks should be outlawed and not even offered in pet stores. I have seen more snakes badly burned by these than any other object.

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X2 and badly. Once you get your temps right and all the good husbandry going his feeding should come back. If he has good weight don't stress for the week an just get his temps an that right. 35 for heat pad an 30 for a thermostat is a small price to pay, since if a burn or something else happens to his health vets are more than 65.

Heat rock is long gone and got a basking bulb. I also did some more reading and redid the whole tank I now have a thermometer on the hot side and cold side, humidity gauge, got new hides, logs, and different substrate to help with humidity. So far he/she is more active so I will let it get used to all the new stuff and try again.