my NW-ern wont eat

[scott n]

in regards to my wild caught northwestern;

he's been fine and eating well until late Januaryish(?) when he outta no-were started not eating and one eye was cloudy. i tried to feed him another slug Tuesday and he struck at it for the first time since this started but he missed. like he couldn't quite see it.

i tried again yesterday and he bit on to it but then let go almost like either he didn't want to eat a slug or wasn't interested in eating.

when i first saw the cloudy eye i thought he was going to shed but i noticed Tuesday its cleared up. there are some imperfections on his side that i can't quite describe. the whole time he has been lethargic and reclusive. any thoughts? i'm considering letting him go if there is nothing i can do.

[guidofatherof5]

My first concern is the 1 eye going cloudy. With 1 it maybe some kind of infection.
Has he shed since being caught? What all have you been feeding? Any chance for a photo of these imperfections? How much tongue flicking is he doing?
Sorry for all the questions, just trying to put some info. together.

[infernalis]

Sounds like it's going into shed. Usually both eyes go cloudy.....

Most snakes go off feed during the shed cycle.

[scott n]

he was caught back in sept. so no shedding yet. will try to get photos but moms camera takes them too big and snake has been pretty reclusive since this started.

he eats slugs and so far nothing else. another member from norcal informed me about this when i fist got him.

he flicks his tongue some when attempting to feed him but usually doesn't otherwise. about half as much as norm i'd say.

[guidofatherof5]

Have you tried to feed something other than slugs?

[scott n]

worms, dried meal worms, and guppies that i can remember the member i mentioned earlier said that NW-erns eat only slugs. and so far thats held true. on closer inspection the deformities on his skin appear to just be wrinkles where he's bending.

can you recommend anything? its starting to make me nuts-o that he wont eat.

since i work night-shift (10pm-630am) and he lives in my room might the abnormal waking/lighting times screw with his wee snake brain? i've been trying to keep my curtain open and his uvb light on more often

[ssssnakeluvr]

worms, dried meal worms, and guppies that i can remember the member i mentioned earlier said that NW-erns eat only slugs.

ordinoides specialize in eating worms....they will eat slugs and fish. I have had them eat all. working on getting my melanistic to take scented pinkies, but he is smart....picks all the worms chunks out and leaves the pinkies...

[Stefan-A]

Forget about the meal worms. Earthworms and slugs.

The abnormal daily rhythm could in principle be a contributing factor.

[guidofatherof5]

What you described with the wrinkles might be a bad shed occuring. Here's a link that might help. http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/show...ght=cheap+shed.
A bad shed will cause them not to eat and can be deadly if not solved.
Your snake has a more varied diet than just slugs and it doesn't include any insects. Here's a link to the forum care sheet.http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...n_Garter_Snake
Please keep us informed on your progress.

[scott n]

tried the shed box idea and the only effect was a scared and damp snake

now what?