A little worried

[Tori]

The first garter that I ever collected looked to be at least 2 years old when I found her and I've had her for 5 years now. She has always been in very good health, never refused food, and over time developed little habits that I've come to expect from her and now miss. For the last 2 months she has been refusing food (still drinking lots of water), but she hasn't lost any weight yet. She doesn't seem to move around as much as she used to. I guess what I am asking is how long do they live on average, w/c I mean? Maybe I'm over reacting, but I'm worried.

She used to bang on the glass when she wanted to be fed, now she keeps trying to get out of her cage and she hasn't done that since I first found her 5 years ago.

[Snake lover 3-25]

that's very strange.... and i'm sorry but i have no idea what it could be.... but best wishes that you find out!!!!:D

[ssssnakeluvr]

I had a wandering that was a full grown adult when I caught her and had her for 9 years.....when they get old, and old age is starting to take them down, (from observations of old snakes I have had) they will eat, but still lose weight...."Thud" (my mom named her) started losing weight, but kept eating real well, and died a few weeks later. as long as she is eating and drinking water I think she will be ok. they can live anywhere from 10 to possibly 20 years.

[Garter_Gertie]

Maybe with the longer days (that are now getting shorte r:() she needs/wants additional food????

[Tori]

She has refused everything I've given her, mice, fish, worms, even a tadpole to tempt her. Nothing is working.

[drache]

have the temps in her tank changed?
I had to adjust some of mine with the season
seems to have to do with location in the house
I realized it because one of my parietalis started acting differently

[infernalis]

That almost sounds like the strong desire to mate.

Some snakes will behave completely different when they are for lack of other words, horney.

[Tori]

Temps are the same, it is just warm longer because the lights are on longer of course. I try to match the light outside as much as I can.

Will females really show odd behavior when they want to breed like males will?? Talking about snakes here...not people. I know the human female will (I have 7 sisters).

[jeanette]

That almost sounds like the strong desire to mate.

Some snakes will behave completely different when they are for lack of other words, horney.
you could be right i have seen that behaviour in corn snakes that are just overwhelmed with the mating instincts.
they desperately try to get away to find a mate. does she lift her tail when she is handled or you brush your hand down near the base of her tail?

[Tori]

Maybe I should find her a male? If it is not the sex drive at least I'll know pretty quickly. I don't have an adult male Eastern and I don't believe in cross-breeding, but I could borrow a local male. In all the time that I've had her I never found a male that I liked enough to bring home. I always hoped that I would be able to (eventually) purchase a melanistic or flame male for her.

[anji1971]

It's worth a try, Tori. Hope she settles down for you soon.:)