I am currently keeping three wild caught eastern garter snakes in the same aquarium; two males and a female.

I keep the aquarium on my enclosed back porch it gets partial sunshine and I've not had a problem with over-heating. I mention this primarily to show that the snakes are exposed to natural temperatures, and that their body cycles should not be altered by their captivity.

I keep a log of my feedings and have noticed some irregularities.
It started Aug7. One of the males did not eat, tried to bite me and musked (or pooped - not sure). This male used to be hand-fed scented pinkies and has never displayed aggressive behavior before.
Aug10, the same male who didn't eat mated with my female. I thought this might be an explanation because Aug11, that male ate 3 nightcrawlers however; he needed a lot of coaxing and was still trying to bite my hands when I took him out of the feeding bucket. Usually, in the feeding bucket he is excited about food but he seemed just freaked out.
Aug15 none of them would eat anything. The female hadn't eaten since Aug 2nd, and she turned down a salamander, which she usually eats with relish. Both males turned down the salamanders too. I have NEVER had this happen before. They also wouldn't eat worms or live, scented pinkies. They act normal in every other way. None are preparing to shed and they are still calm and inquisitive.

I have offered food since and none of eaten anything. I'm not yet worried about starving as I know they can go a long time without food, I'm just concerned as to whatever may be causing them to stop eating. I might add that the weather got considerably warmer at the beginning of this period. It's been a cool summer (70-80F) and over the past few weeks it's been getting warmer (80-upper90sF).


Is this normal and is the change in their eating pattern related to breeding? The male who did not breed also refused food. Could it have something to do with the rising temperature?

I'm sorry this is a lot of info and it's rather unorganized. I would be very grateful for some advice.