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Snake not able to eat mouse, what should I do?

shaberry

shaberry

New member
So, I was feeding Arshess today, and she was trying to eat her mouse. But, she couldn't seem to get past the mouse's head. She tried to eat the mouse three times, but each was unsuccessful, and resulted in her spitting the mouse out. This is the first time she's done this since I've had her. She's had small adult mice before, and a medium adult mouse in the previous feeding, and she showed no problems. I'm thinking this happened because she might be getting ready to shed. My assumption for this is that her skin has been chipping and starting to peel, but I really don't know. Also, after striking and constricting her prey (it wasn't live), she didn't immediately start eating it. Like she normally does. She just sniffed(?) around the mouse for a minute, then proceeded to eat the mouse.

So, what do you guys think? Is this proof that she's going to shed soon? I tried looking around the web for information on symptoms of shedding for corn snakes, but all I came up with is that corns don't feed while they are getting ready to shed.

Also, should I try feeding her a smaller mouse? I've read from an article on about.com, that if my snake is hungry, it's ok to feed her a smaller sized mouse than the usual that she eats. Or should I just wait and see for one more week if she's really going to shed?
 
I think you should wait to feed her, until after she sheds. I do not feed nor would I recommend feeding snakes, when they are in the blue. Higher chance of regurge, during this time.

When she sheds, try to feed her a smaller meal and see what happens. She should be able to go for a bit without eating, so that shouldn't be a worry.

Good Luck

Wayne
 
shaberry said:
Also, after striking and constricting her prey (it wasn't live), she didn't immediately start eating it. Like she normally does. She just sniffed(?) around the mouse for a minute, then proceeded to eat the mouse.


Also, should I try feeding her a smaller mouse? I've read from an article on about.com, that if my snake is hungry, it's ok to feed her a smaller sized mouse than the usual that she eats. Or should I just wait and see for one more week if she's really going to shed?
Click to expand...

Hmm, The way you describe your snake feeding this time is how mine always eats. Pose, strike, either a short constriction or none, then sniff and pushing with nose, finally eating.

I offered slightly smaller than normal items before and after my Rose's last shed (first full shed with me) to be sure she ate and she had no troubles. If you think she is in the process of shedding you can wait until you are sure she isn't or has finished then feed. It does sound like she is shedding to me.
 
The weird thing is that I've never seen her go into blue, and I check on her everyday. I took her a bath today after she didn't eat the mouse, and when I put her back into her viv. she looked as if she wanted to shed. She started to rub her nose and top of her head on her water bowl and hide. So, I'm so confused.
 
Before your snake sheds it should have a period of time when it is "blue", when the skin loosens up. When your okeetee is blue it should be pretty obvious, dull colors, milky eye. The blue will clear for a day or a few days , then the snake will shed.
You said her skin is chipping and starting to peel, that sounds like she is ready to shed. Is her home dry? Do you have a way to measure humidity? If she is having trouble shedding you can mist with water or try a humid hide, a small tupperware container filled with damp moss with a hole for your snake to go in.
How long did you leave her with the food?
 
Yeah, I thought the blue would be obvious too. But, since I've had her, she's never gone into the blue phase of shedding. She does seem to have gotten a bit darker, but I really don't know. Since, I tend to make a mountain out of a mole hill.

The humidity in her viv. is between 60-65. So, I don't believe her home is dry. If anything, the conditions are supposed to be perfect for a shedding corn.

As for the amount of time I left her with the mouse, I left her for 30-45 minutes. Even after all that time, she just started pushing it around. Normally, she just eats the mouse after it's been presented to her. And, it takes her less than 5 minutes to have the mouse down her belly.
 
If it's that humid she should shed easily. Having a problem shedding could be why she's not eating.
You can use a damp towel or washcloth and let her run through it in your hands. Thing is it doesn't sound like a humidity problem.
 
I've been letting her run through a wet cloth in my hands, once every week. Ahh...this is so weird.
 
I'm sorry, I just re-read, your snake did eat.
I'm still concerned that you said her skin was "chipping and starting to peel", that sounds like loose skin for shedding.
Can you see the loose skin at the edge of the scales? Try looking at the belly scutes.
 
Actually, she didn't eat the mouse. She tried three times, but each time she just spat it out after having the head in her mouth. It was really weird. Even the motions she was going through to get the mouse in her mouth was new. Then, after the third try, she just pushed the mouse around her tank. It was a very abnormal thing for her to do.

As for seeing the loose skin at the edge of the scales, I think I only see it on her belly. I posted some pictures for reference in my other thread "Is this normal?".

Here's the link, just in case you can't find it.
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82612
 
Relax. It sounds as if your snake is pre-shed, even if you didn't notice the "blue" phase. Don't feel bad about that; it happens to most of us at some point. It's not at all uncommon for one to refuse a feed during a shed. Many keepers avoid feeding during a shed because the risk of a regurge is higher. A healthy corn can go weeks without eating and have no ill effects. Don't worry about the missed feeding out of concern for healthy.

The face rubbing behavior might be related to the shed. It may also the be snake's way of wiping off his/her face after deciding not to eat. They don't have hands - lol - so they rub on things when we might opt for a face wash.

My guess is that you'll soon find a bright, shiny, freshly shed snake who's ready for a meal.
 
Caryl said:
The face rubbing behavior might be related to the shed. It may also the be snake's way of wiping off his/her face after deciding not to eat. They don't have hands - lol - so they rub on things when we might opt for a face wash.

My guess is that you'll soon find a bright, shiny, freshly shed snake who's ready for a meal.
Click to expand...

Heh...that's a really cute way of trying to wipe her face, if that's the case. Thanks so much for the words of advise Caryl. =) It puts me more at ease about Arshess' situation.

I really hope she's getting ready to shed soon. Thanks so much for all your opinions and advise guys. I really appreciate you guys dealing with my paranoia over Arshess' behavior.
 
You're welcome. This forum is a great place to learn about these fascinating critters, and to share some fun stories and experiences. Let us know how things turn out about the shed.
 
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