I have an albino corn that I have had for about a year. I got him from one of my wife's kids at school because they couldn't take care of him. He has always been an avid feeder, taking everything that I give him and wrapping around it. I have been trying to feed him for about 3 months now and he has stopped constricting anything altogether. I would give him live food and then he stopped eating so I switched to prekilled to see if he would eat them. He has eaten maybe 3 times in the 3 months that he has stopped constricting and I don't know why he would be showing strange behavior. I will put a live mouse in with him and he will look like he is going to strike, smelling the mouse, he will get close then back off right away. I feed him in a separate container and I usually just put him in the container for about 5 minutes to get the smell of mice from it. He is housed in a 40 gallon aquarium with the heat pad on the bottom. I give him a hide over the heat pad and one on the cool end of the aquarium. He is always moving around so I don't know why he hasn't been eating much lately. Please help if you have any info. Thanks!!
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Why has my corn snake stopped eating much?
- Thread starter jordy1380
- Start date
Cat_Eyed_Lady
New member
Do you know for sure its a male?? because that would probably explain it 
Caryl
BrightHope
Do you know for sure its a male?? because that would probably explain it
Male corns often go on "hunger strike" in the springtime. The increased cruising around his viv and refusal to eat are probably related to his current desire to find a lady-friend. If he's in good shape, he can go with food for quite a long while. I'd keep offering food at least once per week, in the same conditions you usually use. Pre-killed is much safer for the snake, (as well as kinder to the mouse) so if he'll eat pre-killed mice you might want to stick with those.
If you're worried about his food refusal, you could try using forceps or tongs to dangle the food. A lot of snakes really go for the "zombie mouse dance." You could also try piercing the body cavity or skull to release body fluids and entice him to eat. Obviously, these suggestions are for pre-killed mice only.
To address your other question, not constricting isn't that usual. Some snakes constrict prey every feeding, some never do, and some do it sometimes.
It sounds like you're taking excellent care of your snake. He's probably just looking for love!
bitsy
Owned by Corns since 1991
They don't need to be brumated in order to "feel the urge" or to breed successfully. I've been breeding for years without brumating.
It does sound like a typical male Spring hunger strike, which can last weeks or months. Keep an eye on his weight and condition - sometimes they can lose a little bit of weight, but generally they don't drop too much.
It does sound like a typical male Spring hunger strike, which can last weeks or months. Keep an eye on his weight and condition - sometimes they can lose a little bit of weight, but generally they don't drop too much.
hi i have also got this prob. my snake is 6 months old and is refusing to feed hasnt fed since the 16 feb. hes 1 1/2 foot. on pinkies i have tried splitting them. nudding him with it but hes just doesnt seem intested. we put him into another tank for feeding as we had been advising also he stopped eating after his shredding.
any ideas feel free as im worried about my little guy
thanks
any ideas feel free as im worried about my little guy
thanks
medusacoils
Mr. Enigma!
It's normal for a snake to go off feed for a while. Especially males, especially this time of year. I have a 5 year old anery that hasn't eaten since November. That was before brumation. He has been up for a month now and is more interested in cruising around the tank and waiting for a girlfriend.
Young males can have similar urges. So it could be related. You should keep trying to feed once a week, but the longer he goes, the smaller the meal you should offer until he comes out of his hunger strike.
Keep trying.
Wayne
Young males can have similar urges. So it could be related. You should keep trying to feed once a week, but the longer he goes, the smaller the meal you should offer until he comes out of his hunger strike.
Keep trying.
Wayne
OnyxWerewolf
New member
I have a similar dilemma too
Up until a week and a half ago, mine stopped eating even while it's in the process of creating new skin before shedding day. Usually (s)he can eat even before shedding.
The pet store claimed that the corn snakes were female but now I'm starting to have a female that Amber is a male... >.>
is there a way to probe? I heard I have to get a vet to do that.
Up until a week and a half ago, mine stopped eating even while it's in the process of creating new skin before shedding day. Usually (s)he can eat even before shedding.
The pet store claimed that the corn snakes were female but now I'm starting to have a female that Amber is a male... >.>
is there a way to probe? I heard I have to get a vet to do that.
medusacoils
Mr. Enigma!
You can probe your own snake if you have a kit and some experience. You may also be able to pop it, if it's still young. You do not need a vet to do it. Just the right equipment and some training.
Also, just because a snake stops eating, doesn't mean it's a male. Snakes will go off feeding occasionally. Sometimes for no reason and it's normal behavior. Just keep trying!
Good Luck
Wayne
My 3 foot corn snake has not eaten for a month. She shed two weeks ago. There are no changes in her appearance or weight. She typically is hungry after shedding, but since it is February and this is the first winter where she has been in a guest room which is cooler, I wonder if it is due to it being a different temperature gradient. I have a 40 gallon tank with a heating pad under one end. I have a heat lamp on the screen lid because without it, the air temperature drops to 60 degrees.
