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#2018584
Russell55
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Black Milksnake not eating! 
Hi all, I’m hoping someone out there has some information that might help me out. Onyx, our Black Milksnake, (see previous posting), has stoped eating. It started about a month and a half ago. When we feed him a mouse see stalks it, hunts it down and kills it and then crawls away and shows no more interest in it. He has done this the four out of the last five feedings. In the past he had allways eaten his kill right away. He is constantly restless both inside and out of his terrarium. Is this a normal behavior pattern? Does it have anything to do with mating season/seeking a mate? He seems perfectly healthy otherwise. He even shed his skin after only eating once in over a month. Any info that you could pass along would be greatly appreciated. Here’s another pic of Onyx.
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06/08/09 02:35pm
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#2020331
Lovin2act
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Message To: Russell55 In reference to Message Id: 2018584
Black Milksnake not eating!
I have not come across or heard of an issue like that before. Very strange. On a side thought...have you considered switching to f/t? At least you save the process of him killing it and wasting a mouse if you are not freezing the ones he does kill. And it keeps him from ever getting bit my a mouse and risking scars on his scales ( yeah mice cant bite all that hard, but why risk it if you can). Both my blacks are fed f/t with zero problems. I wish I knew what was going on with your boy though...black milks are known to be great eaters that never miss a meal from the research I have done. Do you have a vet that can check him for parasites? That might be something worth getting looked at asap and could be causing the strange behavior. Maybe check for mites too if you haven’t already. Although its gonna be hard finding those little turds on a black snake haha! I could see how a black snake could have them and they go un-noticed. You seem to be very on top of his husbandry so hopefully its just a weird stage he is in. Seems like something a snake would do if it was in blue...but you said he shed already so I am as puzzled as you friend!
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06/11/09 01:00pm
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#2020648
Thejaxonator
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Message To: Lovin2act In reference to Message Id: 2020331
Black Milksnake not eating!
i would try a jerboal
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06/11/09 09:56pm
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#2020694
Russell55
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Message To: Thejaxonator In reference to Message Id: 2020648
Black Milk snake not eating!
Why a jerboal? Is that the same as a gerbil? I’m also wondering if it’s just too hot for him. It’s been in the 90’s lately and we don’t turn on the A/C until it’s 80-82 F. For most snakes this would be fine, but I know Blacks prefer it cooler.
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06/11/09 11:15pm
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#2020864
Lovin2act
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Message To: Russell55 In reference to Message Id: 2020694
Black Milk snake not eating!
Oooh I didnt think of that but that could very well be the culprit! I keep mine in the low 70’s and they thrive. Always hungry and out looking for food even a day after I feed them. I would see about getting him cooled down somehow and trying again after a few days at the lower temps.
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06/12/09 10:00am
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#2022602
Russell55
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Message To: Lovin2act In reference to Message Id: 2020864
Black Milk snake not eating!
Hello all, Just to let you know, Onyx ate a mouse last night. I think the problem may have been the temp, (too high). We have since lowered the temp on our thermostat to 78F and aimed the A/C vent a little into his terrarium. That has cooled it down some and I think that did the trick. We’ll know for sure when I feed him again in a few days. I’ll let everyone know what happens. Thanks for your input.
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06/15/09 11:16am
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#2022752
Lovin2act
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Message To: Russell55 In reference to Message Id: 2022602
Black Milk snake not eating!
Ah that’s great news!!! So glad to hear!!!! I hope it all continues well and good now that the temps have been lowered down for him! How long is your boy if I may ask?
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06/15/09 03:14pm
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#2028583
Russell55
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Message To: Lovin2act In reference to Message Id: 2022752
Black Milk snake not eating!
Just a follow up. The lowering of the temp in our Black Milk Snakes environment does seem to have "cured" our problem. He ate another mouse last night without any hesitation.
And to lovin2act, our guy is a little over 4’ long.
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06/25/09 12:01pm
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#2029223
Lovin2act
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Message To: Russell55 In reference to Message Id: 2028583
Black Milk snake not eating!
Ah thats great to hear!! And 4 feet very cool!!! Mine is just over 3.5 and my youngin is about 2 feet now.
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06/26/09 09:56am
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#2029564
Russell55
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Message To: Lovin2act In reference to Message Id: 2029223
Black Milk snake not eating!
Just to let you know, I just got confirmation on the shipment of a 2008 female Black Milk Snake to be delivered on 7-1-09. She is about 24" long and still shows some Red and yellow banding. I’ll let you all know how she looks once she is delivered. If all goes well, I will try to breed her to my male Black probably in 2010.
Depending on her growth, of course.
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06/26/09 10:43pm
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#2030966
Lovin2act
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Message To: Russell55 In reference to Message Id: 2029564
Black Milk snake not eating!
Very nice!!! Sounds like we have a similar pairing just vice versa there :-) I just got my 42" girl to eat a F/T small rat over the weekend! Was stoked as she never seems full enough after 2 adult mice. Hope your new lady gets there safe!!! I think I’ve seen the ads online where you may have gotten her but I could be wrong haha!
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06/29/09 01:05pm
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