Rhapsody Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 This may be a long shot, but our gorgeous Corn Snake hasn't eaten for about 2 months now we keep offering her warmed weaner rats every 2 weeks but no joy. Local reptile bloke says don't worry they do that when mature in the darkest part of winter, but I'd really like her to feed soon! Apart from braining any ideas? Ta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Dare I ask what braining is? Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 I wouldnt Emma I dont know what it is either - but it doesnt sound good sorry, i dont know anything about snakes but i hope it eats soon. cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 braining as I understand it, and did it , is to insert a pin into the space between the spine and the back of the skull in the weaner mice. This releases spinal fluid and makes the smell of the feed much stronger and therefore more attractive. It did work for us when our corn snake went off her feed. They can go an amazing length of time without feeding but the signs to look for something going wrong is to check just behind the snake's neck. If the neck starts to look flat and the skin flabby or wrinkled rather than the neck being rounded and plump then there may be issues with weight loss and dehydration, in which case you might need a vet pronto. Hope your snake starts eating soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Just wondering how the snake is going on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kez Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 I don't know anything about snakes either. Is he 'sizing you up' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ana's flock Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Hi Rhapsody I had a similar thing going on with our Sybil two years ago (?!) in 2007. She didn't eat anything for about 3 months and I was getting seriously worried. She drank her water and kept shedding regularly, her skin was shinny and there was no sign of illness... At that time a girl who knew about cornsnakes came to take our little old vivarium from us and I asked her about the anorexic snake. She assured me it was relatively normal... anyway, a few weeks later we approached Sybil with a defrosted mice and she almost got my hand aswell!!! her appetite had returned. She's been eating regularly ever since. I don't know what causes this, but if she continues to shed and looks plum, shinny and healthy I'd just keep offering her food now and then and not worry too much. I also joined a cornsnake forum at the time... again I was told not to worry too much as this sort of thing does happen sometimes... If s/he starts getting thinner or looses condition I'd take him/her to a vet though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 Thanks for all replies. I offered Tequila a large mouse rather than a weaner rat, served very warm in a very warm feeding tank, after 5 weeks she broke her fast *phew* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahJo Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Glad Tequila has eaten - they can go for months without eating if they go into brumation. (snake hibernation). One of our corns escaped and was "lost" from November to february - when found he had a couple of pinky mice, and had survived on water only. Best to offer a smaller than usual meal if they are "off" food - they will eat eventually if they are not sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Glad to hear she's back on her feed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
