Is Petey Sick

[sshultz]

My husband brought home a little garter snake a few months ago that was injured. I decided to keep him over the winter and let him heal up. Well needless to say my kids love him and I really like him as well. He has shed his skin once eats nightcrawlers twice a week and seems happy. Lately I have been worried about him for the last week he hasnt really wanted to eat and kind of just lays around (I know they do that) just seems weird. Is he sick??? Any ideas what it could be???

[BLUESIRTALIS]

It's hard to say if he is sick or not without seeing him. Do you think he could be going in shed? Some garters will not eat or move alot in shed. I wouldn't worry to much about him going off feed as long as he don't lose too much weight. Your just going to have to watch him and see how he acts. If he only eats worms you should probably dust them with reptile vitamins also. I hope petey makes a full recovery let us know how he does.

[guidofatherof5]

Going off food isn't unusual. It's good that you noticed, the situation should be monitored.
I've got a few off food right now.
Keep offering food.
Here's a link to the care sheet.
Keep us posted on Petey.
Love to see a photo;)
Garter Snake Care Sheet - Caresheets (http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets/index.php?title=Garter_Snake_Care_Sheet)

[infernalis]

It could be time to shed, also could be because it's spring time and a lot of snakes have mating on their minds instead of food.

[ConcinusMan]

Are you using any heat source or lighting for him? Also, twice a week isn't very much when they are only eating night crawlers. I would feed him some every day or nearly every day. If a snake is eating whole fish or rodents you can feed them less often. It takes a heck of a lot of worms, often, to maintain healthy body mass.

But like you were saying, he's not eating at all now. There are some tricks for stimulating activity and appetite but I would need to know more about your setup and temperatures.

As was already stated, if he's getting ready to shed soon, it's normal for them to go off of food, hide a lot, and not be very active until the process is complete. If he's going into shed, he should be looking a bit dull and the eyes may be getting cloudy. Any of that going on?

[sshultz]

I do have a heat lamp for him, he eats usually around 10 worms a week He is moving around more today but I think it is cause I keep touching him and he wants to get away from me I am going to try to attach a photo of his house. Also he is rubbing his face on stuff alot is that normal, still wasnt interested in eating today

[BLUESIRTALIS]

It still sounds to me like maybe he is trying to shed.

[sshultz]

Here are a few more pics. The close up is a part of his tail that didnt shed all the way I was told not to try to get it off but from what I read I guess I should

[guidofatherof5]

Could that 3rd photo be showing retained shed?

[ConcinusMan]

I'm pretty sure that's what he said Steve. Someone told him not to try removing it I guess. Bad advice. If it's been on there a while, it may be stuck on permanently until the next shed.

The head rubbing might be from stuck shed on his head somewhere. It can be hard to see sometimes. Either that, or he just needs to shed again. I would make your snake gets misted / high humidity and maybe soak him in warm water and very gently try to remove that stuck shed. If it seems like it's stuck on too hard, then don't try to force it off.

Your snake looks like a female to me and has good body mass. I wouldn't worry too much about her not eating. Not yet.

[guidofatherof5]

I'm pretty sure that's what he said Steve.

I'm pretty sure you're right. I missed it.

[sshultz]

Thanks guys I am going to try to soak him (or I guess her) hopefully he'll be as good as new soon. As far as his house do you all think that it is good or is there other stuff I should put in there

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks guys I am going to try to soak him (or I guess her) hopefully he'll be as good as new soon. As far as his house do you all think that it is good or is there other stuff I should put in there

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/husbandry/5014-cheap-shed-box.html

[ConcinusMan]

Thanks guys I am going to try to soak him (or I guess her) hopefully he'll be as good as new soon. As far as his house do you all think that it is good or is there other stuff I should put in there

A few hides and plastic plants wouldn't hurt but if your snake isn't the nervous shy type it's not really necessary. Some snakes don't like open enclosures and prefer more cover.

[Mommy2many]

Along with the retained shed possiblility, check for mites. That would cause rubbing. Going off food is not uncommon but if you are only offering worms, you should offer them every other day. Good luck!

[sshultz]

His/Hers eyes are very cloudy so I am keeping an eye on them. How long til the shedding will start

[guidofatherof5]

After they turn clear again it could be as little as a few hours or as long as a few days.
Access to soaking is important.

[sshultz]

Miss Petey shed her skin today and she is so pretty thanks again for the help

[guidofatherof5]

Great news. Thanks for the update.