VERY active snake

[Hakkapalle]

Hello all!

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with older snakes and knows if they have any strange behaviors. My snake is around 20 years old and recently has become VERY active but will not eat. If I'm in the room during the day he'll start slithering around his tank and I'm pretty sure he's non-stop moving at night. Also, even if he's resting he'll be sprawled out instead of curled up in his hide. He's had these hides for a while so I know he can use them, just seems to have no interest.
His tank is PVC with Plexiglas doors, warm side is 88-90, cold side is 75ish, humidity around 60.

I've tried offering him a variety of rat sizes (dead prey) and tried feeding both in his own tank and a separate one.

I know snakes can go a long while without eating, so mostly I'm concerned that he isn't using his hides anymore and want to reduce any possible stress he has.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Bogertophis]

When is the last time he ate? And what was he being fed (size & type), & how often was he eating? What about his feces?

What is your substrate in cage? Could he have ingested something besides prey? (this behavior could suggest internal pain or blockage)

[Hakkapalle]

Thank you for your quick response! He last ate on the 8th of August and was offered a medium thawed rat (defrosts in the refrigerator and then warmed in water). Isn't the most frequent of eaters, typically once or twice a month.
His substrate is coconut fibers mixed with reptibark. I looked and found some urates and well as feces that was mostly fur.
Do you know of any way to check without a vet visit? The town I live in doesn't have a snake vet but I do have access to an x-ray.

[Zincubus]

Hello all!

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with older snakes and knows if they have any strange behaviors. My snake is around 20 years old and recently has become VERY active but will not eat. If I'm in the room during the day he'll start slithering around his tank and I'm pretty sure he's non-stop moving at night. Also, even if he's resting he'll be sprawled out instead of curled up in his hide. He's had these hides for a while so I know he can use them, just seems to have no interest.
His tank is PVC with Plexiglas doors, warm side is 88-90, cold side is 75ish, humidity around 60.

I've tried offering him a variety of rat sizes (dead prey) and tried feeding both in his own tank and a separate one.

I know snakes can go a long while without eating, so mostly I'm concerned that he isn't using his hides anymore and want to reduce any possible stress he has.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I had a snake start doing this very thing ... when I quickly checked the surface temps with a digital temp gun the temps were high ... the stat had failed with the heat being left on !

Luckily I check all my snakes quite often ( being a little obsessive) and I notice any differences in behaviour


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[Bogertophis]

Thank you for your quick response! He last ate on the 8th of August and was offered a medium thawed rat (defrosts in the refrigerator and then warmed in water). Isn't the most frequent of eaters, typically once or twice a month.
His substrate is coconut fibers mixed with reptibark. I looked and found some urates and well as feces that was mostly fur.
Do you know of any way to check without a vet visit? The town I live in doesn't have a snake vet but I do have access to an x-ray.

An X-ray is only as good as the medical person interpreting it though. Does he have any lumps or swellings? or what we call "sausage butt"?

Keep in mind that for a 20 year old snake, he's eating quite a lot (assuming typical size for "medium" rat)...would be better off probably if you didn't feed such large meals-they're harder to digest.

I also agree, btw, to double-check the temps. in cage. Something is making him uncomfortable, sounds like.