The best snake food is meat and bones. You can provide your pet with eggs, red meat, or white meat. When offering these foods to your snake, be sure to keep the feathers on the meat.
Full Answer
What is the best food for snakes?
Rodents are a popular choice for snake food as they serve as a balanced, nutritionally complete meal. Many snake experts recommend that you feed snakes only dead rodents to prevent injury to handlers or the snake. Also, frozen rodents should be thawed prior to feeding.
What do baby snakes eat at PetSmart?
The snakes sold at PetSmart are carnivores, which means they eat meat — specifically, mice or rats. PetSmart recommends “Arctic Mice,” which are frozen. Be sure to thaw frozen rodents before giving them to your snake. Feed baby and young snakes “pinkie mice” (the smallest size mouse) and increase the size of the food as your snake gets bigger.
How to feed baby mice to snakes?
Be sure to thaw frozen rodents before giving them to your snake. Feed baby and young snakes “pinkie mice” (the smallest size mouse) and increase the size of the food as your snake gets bigger. As a general rule, the prey should be approximately the same diameter as the snake.
What size of prey should I Feed my snake?
Most snakes should be fed a size of prey that is about the same size around as the snake's body at its widest point. This means that as a snake grows, you will have to adjust the size of the prey fed to the snake to accommodate the snake's increasing size.
How many grams should I feed my snake?
Ball Python Feeding ChartSnake AgeSnake WeightPrey Size3 months120 – 200 gSmall mouse or fuzzy rat (13-19 g)6 months300 – 370 gAdult mouse or rat pup (20-30g)1 year500 – 900 g1-3 adult mice or 1 small rat (45-80 g)1.5 years700 – 1500 g3-5 adult mice, 1 medium rat, or 2 small rats (80-150 g)3 more rows
What size prey should I feed my snake?
0:179:14What Size Rodent Should you Feed your Snake? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGenerally the rule of thumb is that you want to feed a rodent that is slightly larger than theMoreGenerally the rule of thumb is that you want to feed a rodent that is slightly larger than the thickest part of the snake's body in other words you'll see a little bit of a lump behind after the snake
How many grams do you feed a ball python?
How much to feed a ball python? Feeding chartBall python age and weightHow often to feedHatchlingEvery 5-7 days1-12 months old, or up to 750 grams, whichever firstEvery 5-7 days1-3 years old10-14 days, gradually decrease3 years old and over (adult)Once in 2-2.5 weeks, or once in 3-3.5 weeks if offering a large meal.
How much does a snake need to eat a day?
You don't need to feed a ball python every day. Generally, smaller or younger ball pythons need to eat twice each week, while larger ones usually eat once every week or two.
How old is a 60 gram ball python?
Ball python weight chartAge of a ball pythonWeight of a ball pythonHatchling, 0-4 weeks45-105 grams (45-70 grams in an average)1 month old60-105 grams2 months old80-130 grams3 months old130-200 grams13 more rows
Can you overfeed a snake?
Overfeeding is very easy with some and you will soon see physical signs. It is better to control their intake and give them time to grow. It takes a lot longer to lose the weight/fat deposits than to gain it and the regurge that you mention is not good. Once a week, one correctly sized item is fine at 18 months.
Will a snake try to eat something too big?
Researchers found it dead the next morning. Apparently, among snake researchers, it's well known that snakes sometimes die trying to eat things that are too big for them. It happens most often to juvenile snakes.
How often should a 1 year old ball python eat?
once every 10 to 14 daysYour snake may be the best one to answer this question for you but typically an adult snake (over one year of age) will eat once every 10 to 14 days. Younger snakes should eat more often since they are still growing. They should eat at least once a week, or even once every 5 to 6 days while growing.
How do I know if my ball python is hungry?
Snakes will let you know when they're hungry. They will start prowling their enclosure and their tongue flicks will increase in frequency and number.
How much should a 1 year old ball python weigh?
Weight By AgeAgeMale Weight (grams)Female Weight (grams)Nine Months400 to 450450 to 470One year500 to 800650 to 800One and a Half Years600 to 9001000 to 1400Two Years800 to 11001200 to 18005 more rows
How much do I feed my snake?
Smaller or younger snakes usually eat twice each week, while larger, more mature snakes typically eat once every week or two. Female snakes approaching breeding season can be fed more frequently. Your veterinarian can give you more specific advice about feeding based on your snake's individual requirements.
How do you know a snake is hungry?
You can tell a snake is hungry when it exhibits specific behaviors such as: Prowling the front of the tank, being more active, focussing on you whenever you are near the enclosure, flicking its tongue more often, and hunting at a similar time each day or night.
Do snakes drink water everyday?
The actions of the muscles of the snakes, it will then squeeze the water down in the gut. The snakes do not drink water on regular basis and the snake found in the harsh climate like desert where getting water is hard, they may live their lives without taking even one drink.
How big is a 3 month old ball python?
Ball Python Size & Weight ChartAgeWeightLength1 Month50-150 Grams10-12 Inches2 Months70-170 Grams10-12 Inches3 Months90-180 Grams10-12 Inches4 Months140-280 Grams12-18 Inches12 more rows•Feb 10, 2021
How do I know if my ball python is underweight?
Signs of an Underweight Ball PythonRidged back.Triangular body shape.Hollow belly.Hanging skin.Loss of jaw muscle definition.Sunken eye sockets.
How can I make my ball python grow faster?
0:134:423 Steps To Make Your Ball Python Grow Bigger/Stronger - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWay is to inject mercury. Straight into them as well same exact technique. And then the third one isMoreWay is to inject mercury. Straight into them as well same exact technique. And then the third one is to not feed them rodents. But take calcium powder put water in it put it into huge balls dissolve.
How big of a rat should I feed my snake?
Most snakes should be fed a size of prey that is about the same size around as the snake's body at its widest point. 1 This means that as a snake grows, you will have to adjust the size of the prey fed to the snake to accommodate the snake's increasing size.
Should you feed live prey to snakes?
"Live prey should not be fed to snakes." Live prey should not be fed to snakes, as the prey will not only suffer psychological stress while being hunted by the snake, but also threaten to harm the snake by biting it before they are eaten.
How big of mice should I feed my corn snake?
Regarding what size prey to feed your corn snake, a general rule of thumb is to feed a rodent that is under twice the diameter of the snake's mid-body girth (preferably 1.5 times the snake's girth), but only if proper digesting temperatures are continually available to your pet.
Is it OK to feed my snake 2 mice?
0:166:53Can You Feed Snakes more than 1 Mouse / Rat at a Time? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd everything says it's completely fine two features make more than one mice. Want. More than oneMoreAnd everything says it's completely fine two features make more than one mice. Want. More than one Mouse. As long as you do it correctly.
Food types
Smaller species generally feed on insects and worms, which can be readily bought from reptile suppliers.
Feeding frequency
How often to feed your snake depends on what species you have, its age, and its size, so you will need to look at your individual species requirements.
Natural fasting
While some snakes feed all year round, many from temperate regions naturally hibernate or become dormant at certain times of year and will stop feeding.
Food size
Whilst snakes have the amazing ability to consume items wider than themselves, they have no need to eat such large items and are more likely to regurgitate large foods if stressed, or cause undue strain on digestive systems.
Live foods for snakes
If you enjoy watching your snake hunt, catch, and slowly swallow a live rat or mouse while it is still kicking then you have little regard for animal welfare and are probably not the type of person who is responsible enough to care for an animal of any sort.
Insects and worms
Whenever ‘live’ food is mentioned, the meaning is usually larger animals like mice, chicks, fish, or frogs. Of course crickets, worms and other insects or small invertebrates are also popular live foods for reptiles and snakes.
Pre-killed snake food is best
Ignoring the ethical aspect of feeding larger live foods, there are actually a number of practical reasons why pre-killed food is best for snake health.
What do snakes eat at PetSmart?
The snakes sold at PetSmart are carnivores, which means they eat meat — specifically, mice or rats. PetSmart recommends “Arctic Mice,” which are frozen. Feeding your snake frozen prey as opposed to live prey reduces the chances that the snake will contract a disease or parasites, or suffer an injury while trying to eat.
How to keep snakes from shedding?
Don’t be surprised if your snake isn’t hungry around shedding time. Give your snake some private digesting time after a meal. Don’t handle snakes directly after they eat; they might not keep their meal down and might not enjoy being fed in the future.
How to get a snake to shed?
Water. Provide a shallow, heavy, stable dish for drinking and the occasional snake-soak. (If you notice your snake seems to be spending a lot of time in the water dish, that’s a clue that your pet might be getting ready to shed. Be sure the tank is humid enough to make the shedding process easier.) Shop for water dishes.
What size of prey should a snake eat?
Most snakes should be fed a size of prey that is about the same size around as the snake's body at its widest point. 1 This means that as a snake grows, you will have to adjust the size of the prey fed to the snake to accommodate the snake's increasing size.
What does it mean when a snake eats a meal?
When you do feed them, make the meal smaller. It's important to understand the difference between regurgitation and vomiting in your snake. Regurgitation happens before the food reaches the stomach. 2 When a snake expels digested food that's been in its stomach, it's called vomiting and is usually a sign of illness.
Why is my snake vomiting?
Vomiting is a bigger issue than regurgitation because the snake loses a lot of amino acids that it needs to survive in the process. If your snake is vomiting or repeatedly regurgitating its food, get it to a vet immediately. Vomiting and regurgitation can both be fatal to snakes.
Why do snakes regurgitate?
Snakes will also regurgitate due to stress. If your snake is stressed by loud noises or people tapping on the glass of their tank, try putting them in a quiet area after feeding and giving them space. Your snake will be ready to play in a couple of days.
Can snakes eat rats?
If you have a species of snake that grows large enough that they will eventually eat rats, it is a good idea to switch to rats while the snake is still young, to get them used to eat rats rather than mice.
Can snakes be started on pinky mice?
Very small hatchling snakes can be started on pinky mice (newborn mice) and then graduate to larger sizes. The main terms used for feeder mice are fuzzies, hoppers, and weaned mice or weanlings, then large and extra-large adult.
Can rats harm snakes?
While mice are very timid creatures with few defensive capabilities, rats are very inquisitive, and a larger rat can do serious damage to your snake. You want to get your snake used to eating prey that can fight back while they're still young.
How to get a snake to eat on its own?
If the snake does not grab the rodent from the tongs, place the rodent on the bottom of the holding bin and allow the snake to try eating on its own.
How to jiggle a frozen snake?
Using the tongs, hold the rodent by the tail or back end. Hold the rodent a few inches in front of the snake’s face and jiggle slightly to imitate movement.
How to thaw a frozen rodent?
For faster thawing you should keep the frozen rodent in the plastic bag and put in a cup of warm water . Rodents should be at room temperature before feeding. Feed your reptiles separately and in a secondary habitat (whenever possible). Once the frozen rodent is completely thawed, remove from plastic bag and use feeding tongs to jiggle ...
Do snakes eat when they are in sheds?
It is common for snakes to occasionally skip meals. Skipping the occasional feeding will not harm the snake and snakes will often refuse to eat when they are in shed. If the snake is getting ready to shed they will have opaque eyes and pale scales it takes a couple days to go through a shed and will clear up before you see the shed.
Can you feed a frozen snake?
Feeding Frozen Thawed. Snakes are shy eaters so pick a time to feed the snake so it is not going to be bothered. Pick the appropriate sized frozen rodent to feed your pet reptile. Keep the frozen rodent in the plastic bag and allow a period of time for the frozen rodent to thaw before feeding. For faster thawing you should keep ...
What is the golden rule for feeding corn snakes?
Golden Rule Of Corn Snake Feeding. As with all snakes, there is a general “golden rule” for feeding them. This idea was mentioned above, but in this section, we’ll go into more detail on what this entails.
How long can a corn snake go without food?
Corn snakes can up to 3 months without food when in brumation (like hibernation). Even not in this state, expect to feed corn snakes every 7-10 days. But of these reasons, one is an illness. However, illness is almost always accompanied by other signs. Look for some of these other signs of illness:
How to pick a mouse size for a corn snake?
While the best way to pick a mouse size is dependent on the snake’s size, this may not help you when it comes to buying feeder mice. They are often marketed by age or overall size of the mouse. You should still check all sizes, but here are the steps up for feeding corn snakes. 1 pinkie mouse. 2 pinkie mice.
How big should a snake's mice be?
The golden rule is, as we mentioned, no mice should be more than 1.5 times the size of the snake’s body at mid-length. Even this might seem large to you, especially as snakes will swallow their prey whole. The body bulges out for a day or more as the snake digest the meal over time. For those not familiar with snake physiology, this is alarming. ...
Can a corn snake eat a mouse?
Snakes aren’t getting nutrients from the mouse until it has been digested. If the mouse is too large, the corn snake may regurgitate the meal (throw it up or vomit). Then, the snake is at risk of injuring itself, and it didn’t get the nutrients from the prey.
How often should you feed a snake?
How often you feed a snake will depend on the age, size, and activity level of the snake. Younger and smaller snakes should be fed twice a week, while more mature, and larger snakes need to eat once every week. More active snakes also require more frequent meals.
Feeding snakes based on their age
Young snakes are still growing and developing, so it’s not a surprise that they naturally need to eat more often.
Feeding snakes based on their size
Just like with age, smaller snakes also need to eat more frequently. Their size doesn’t allow them to last long without constant nutrition.
Feeding snakes based on their activity level
It’s no secret that physical activity burns energy. This also applies to snakes. The more active the snake, the faster it burns its energy.
When should snakes be fed?
Snakes who are active during twilight should be fed in the evenings or sometime late in the afternoon. Nocturnal snakes, on the other hand, may not like to eat during the daytime.
What do snakes eat?
What snakes eat depends on what type of species they are, but one fact that applies to all snakes is that they’re all carnivores. So, the typical preys include rabbits, lizards, rodents, birds, turtles, frogs, and even other snakes.
How to feed snakes?
Feeding snakes can be tricky and harmful when not done properly. So, here are the usual conventions in feeding snakes.