Just not hungry?

[guidofatherof5]

I know I'll probably get scolded for this but I stopped by Ray's tonight and I'm gonna try some live minnows on my little male Blackneck. He hasn't eaten in the six weeks since I got him and I want to see him eat. If he don't eat eventually it won't matter. I had an Eastern that was fed nothing but these minnow's from from the same bait and tackle for ten years and he is still wiggling so I'm hoping if I can break the ice he'll start eating pinkies and nightcrawlers and ween him off the minnows.

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.

[Invisible Snake]

Try placing a thawed pinky in the water bowl with a few live minnows, I've used that trick to slowly convert 1 of my EBNs into taking pinks.

[CrazyHedgehog]

have you checked the heat? try upping it a notch, ( what is it at?)
I had some tetrataenia that wouldn't eat, I cooled for a few weeks then raised temps, they are eating now.
One needs to see movement though, so chopped up worm over a chopped up pinkie seems to be doing the trick at the moment. . .

[guidofatherof5]

I know I'll probably get scolded for this but I stopped by Ray's tonight and I'm gonna try some live minnows on my little male Blackneck. He hasn't eaten in the six weeks since I got him and I want to see him eat. If he don't eat eventually it won't matter. I had an Eastern that was fed nothing but these minnow's from from the same bait and tackle for ten years and he is still wiggling so I'm hoping if I can break the ice he'll start eating pinkies and nightcrawlers and ween him off the minnows.

You might try using the minnow for scenting. Chop it up and scent the other food items.

[EKS56]

The room temperature has been between 70* - 75*. That's the low end of what's recommended so I went and bought a heater that sticks to the side of the tank to raise the temp a little today. He doesn't act like he feels bad. Plenty of movement, tongue licking, no visible sores or tumors around the mouth. He just don't want to eat. It'll be 6 weeks Tuesday.

[Invisible Snake]

That's got to be why he hasn't eaten, try to get the warm side up around 85*-90*. With temps in the 70's he was probably getting ready to brumate.

[guidofatherof5]

The room temperature has been between 70* - 75*. That's the low end of what's recommended so I went and bought a heater that sticks to the side of the tank to raise the temp a little today. He doesn't act like he feels bad. Plenty of movement, tongue licking, no visible sores or tumors around the mouth. He just don't want to eat. It'll be 6 weeks Tuesday.

It's good that you are observing this situation calmly.

[EKS56]

It's good that you are observing this situation calmly.

No other way to take it. If he doesn't eat and dies I will be more than disappointed but if I have done all I can do then I've done all I can do.
Is it such a thing as force feeding a snake and if it is at what point should it be done?

[guidofatherof5]

You will get varying opinions on that question.
I say no, as there must be a reason for the not eating. Food might cause more problems.
Just my thoughts.

[EKS56]

I tend to agree.
I would have to think he was ready to die before I would try that.