Hatching pueblan milk snake. Purchased from petsmart at the beginning of september, was dumb enough to not ask for feeding history. Had no clue these things were so fussy. It ate 2 frozen thawed small pinks I left in with it the first week I had it, and then went into a shed cycle and hasn’t eaten since. Offered it frozen thawed pinks overnight, live pinks, brained frozen thawed, and now brained live pinks and refused all of it. I think it’s stressed out because the husbandry seems fine - the temps are okay (high 70s warm side, low 70s cool side), has water, humidity is in the 50-60% range. It’s super flighty to the point of being unhandleable so I don’t handle it, unless I’m adding a mouse to the enclosure. What’s next? Cut up rat pinks to introduce a new scent? Perhaps it conflates the scent of mice with the terror of having its enclosure opened? While it isn’t getting thin yet, I’m getting worried because it is a hatchling. It also barely flicks its tongue and in general just hides in the hides I’ve provided. Thanks for any tips!
IMO sounds like hot side temperatures is way too low. Should be around 90 degrees. Have you seen any poop? The snake may not be able to digest it’s previous meal due to temp being too low and therefore will not/cannot eat another meal without proper temperatures.
Correct me somebody if I am wrong…….! This is just what the problem sounds like to me……
Also all the baby milk snakes I have had experience with were very wiggly and flighty with a tendency to musk you even before you could remove them from their enclosures and could wiggle their way out of the tiniest of little cracks! Lol! I had one escape and was missing for about 3 months and then showed back up in the same room it’s cage was in.
I would bump up that warm side temp. Have you been offering food in the enclosure? Also, please don’t brain a live mouse - that’s pretty inhumane.
How often are you trying to feed? Have you been handling the snake at all. It sounds like it could be stressed from the new home and not eating. Can you add a picture of the enclosure?
I will raise the temps up a bit. I have been trying both inside the enclosure and in a smaller enclosure
@erie-herps every three days or so. only handling when trying new things with its enclosure. I do agree it is stressed I’m not sure how to make it less stressed as I have gone basically as small as I can with the enclosure
here is an image of the enclosure
Yes I have seen poop
Try adding more cover in the enclosure. For example, toilet paper/paper towel rolls, fake plants, crumpled paper, etc. Also, darken all of the sides except one of the shorter sides (make sure no light can get through the covered sides, without blocking ventilation. I would recommend cardboard or paper).
will do. I will cover all but ventilation with cardboard, and I’ll put some tp rolls in there too
Ok poop is good! You may be changing/trying too many things at once. Usually milk snakes are reliable eaters. Is his enclosure in a noisy or high traffic area? If so move him to a quiet out of the way place. Amp up the heat on the hot side and then leave him alone for several days to a week. Then offer him a warm dry ft pink and drape a towel over his cage to give him more security. Or better still offer the food at night. If he doesn’t eat wait another week and try again. I know it’s frustrating but it may take some patience on your part. As long as your husbandry is correct he should eat eventually. IMO patience is the key. However if after several weeks with no success you may want to consider a visit to the vet……
he’s in my room, and I live alone. Vibrations from walking could be annoying so I’ve considered moving him into a closet? I have turned up the heat, and blocked light into the enclosure. Will attempt feeding again in a week.
Don’t do the closet thing for every day life because he needs to be able to distinguish between night and day as a snake would in the wild. However you could move him to a closet when you feed him. The dark quiet may encourage feeding.
I worked at a Petsmart for awhile in pet care and their protocol was to feed the snakes in separate small critter keepers. The milk snakes had good feeding responses for the most part. However I am not suggesting that you do that. The fact that yours doesn’t musk you amazes me! It’s for this reason that I find it hard to believe that these guys are recommended as good beginner snakes. Otherwise they are really gorgeous snakes. The Hondurans are my favorite……
Definitely wish I had have gone with a Honduran instead. Instead of musking, it just poops all over me, so same effect. I will post an update once I try feeding again in a week
Yes please do! I wish you the best of luck with your snake! 
Sorry it’s me again but I really believe your little guy will quit pooping on you when he gets good and settled in. Some baby snakes are more of a challenge than others. Honduran babies may behave the same way at first. I just prefer them over all the other milk types because they grow larger.
I won’t bother you anymore until I hear from you about how the next feeding goes. Trust me! I know how frustrating this is but I think your reward will be worth your hard effort!.
Regards!
Caron
Hi, update time. Left it alone for a week and offered a frozen/thawed pinkie last night. No dice. Going to try again in a few days
Ok. You have certainly got a stubborn little guy! Short of assist/force feeding there is not much more you can do, as long as your husbandry is correct. Snakes can go a long time without eating so keep on doing what you are doing by offering food every 5 days or so patiently. Believe me I know how frustrating this is for you.
All the best and fingers crossed you will have good news soon!
Hey Jake! Just wanted to keep you encouraged about your little Pueblan. If he/she doesn’t eat for you this next time remember not to be discouraged. It ate for you once and it will again. Just stay consistent and don’t give up.
Caron 
Thanks, I will update if anything changes.
One that has worked on some of my picky eaters is poking a small hole in the abdomen of the pinky and leaving it.