Not eating

[NickeyV]

Hi everyone. I was just wondering what is the longest a snake has gone not eating at all? Lucifer is active and doesn't seem sick or anything. I finally found a worm or nightcrawler in the backyard. I showed her it but wasn't interested in eating it. She's stopped eating her fish and mice. So far its been 27 days of not eating since she shed which was March 3rd. I am starting to get a little worried. I know she is hungry and when she is outside she wants to dig around in the dirt looking for worms.

[chris-uk]

Twenty-seven days is getting to the point where I'd be getting concerned, however I know I've read about garters going far longer than that. We've got a blackneck that barely eats and has probably gone for over a month without eating (he's fussy and will only eat when you aren't looking).
Remind us how old Lucifer is? Do you keep track of her weight? Is she loosing weight.

[EasternGirl]

Yes...like Chris said, it is okay to be getting a little concerned..however, I have had a couple of my snakes go a month here and there without eating and one of them went two months without eating this winter. The vet said it was due to the snakes natural instinct to slow down and stop eating during the winter months. He did begin eating again. Any chance you have a reptile vet near by that could take a look at her?

[NickeyV]

Twenty-seven days is getting to the point where I'd be getting concerned, however I know I've read about garters going far longer than that. We've got a blackneck that barely eats and has probably gone for over a month without eating (he's fussy and will only eat when you aren't looking).
Remind us how old Lucifer is? Do you keep track of her weight? Is she loosing weight.

I don't know how old she is but I've had her 9 months so far and she is 2ft. 2 1/2 in. I don't have a scale to weigh her. When I am holding her her skin moves or like how it is for when baby snakes don't eat and you could see their skin and they are skinny. I am still looking for a vet that sees snakes.

[EasternGirl]

Can you take a pic of her and post it for us? I would like to see what you are talking about with her skin. Make sure she doesn't have something else going on like a badly retained shed. Let me see if I can find a reptile vet in your area for you.

[EasternGirl]

Try this link...you can enter your zip to find a reptile/herp vet near you and you can also enter questions online for reptile/herp vets: ReptileVeterinarians.com

Please let us know if you find one near you.

[NickeyV]

I called a couple of vets. One said they don't see snakes and another I had to leave a message. When snakes are refusing to eat is there a way to feel them up with food like a shot or something? Also as of today it is 39 days of Lucifer not wanting to eat. A while ago I showed her some mice pieces and she didn't want it. Then I filled a tub of water which she got in herself and I decided to throw a nightcrawler at her face and guess what? She grabbed it and ate it! She ate another and some fish. I tried it before but with fish but didn't eat it. Now I hope she keeps eating from now on. Tomorrow will mark having her for 10 months so far.

[guidofatherof5]

Good news.

[mikem]

That's great news! Glad she ate for you! Let us know if she stops again. Hopefully she won't.

[chris-uk]

Keep eating Lucifer! You know it's good for you.