Feeding Snakes
All snakes are strict carnivores
The preferred prey item varies with the species but relatively large snakes consume appropriately
sized rodents, rabbits, fish, birds, lizards, turtles, and even other snakes. Smaller snakes can eat
insects, slugs and other mollusks, as well as worms.
Most captive species can be fed small rodents
Popular snakes, including boas, pythons, rat snakes, corn snakes, bull snakes, and pine snakes,
eat mice and rats of appropriate size. Recently imported adult ball pythons (Python regius)
sometimes prefer gerbils. Larger snakes can also be fed rabbits or chickens.
Rodents can be purchased frozen from commercial suppliers and thawed prior to feeding.
Although most captive snakes eat warm-blooded prey, some snakes like the kingsnake
(Lampropeltis spp.), indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi), hognose snake, and garter snake (Thamnophis
spp.), feed on cold-blooded prey items like amphibians, fish, crayfish, and even other reptiles. Most
of these species can be transitioned to a rodent diet by first disguising the rodent scent with a
more familiar prey item. For instance rub a fish onto a pre-killed mouse.
Some snakes eat a variety of insects including the garter snake, green snake (Opheodrys spp.),
worm snake (Carphophis amoenus), DeKay’s brown snake (Storeria dekayi), and the ring-necked snake
(Diadophis punctatus). As in other reptiles, insect prey should first be fed a calcium-fortified diet.
When should my snake be fed?
Many snakes are active at twilight, and should be offered prey during the late afternoon or
evening. Some species, like the ball python are nocturnal and may be uncomfortable feeding
during the day.
Should I feed fresh or frozen prey?
Feeding pre-killed food is preferable. If the snake does not eat immediately, live prey can inflict
serious bites and scratches. Live prey can also transmit intestinal parasites.
Prey items can be freshly killed or purchased fresh-frozen and completely thawed. Warm the
rodent in “hand hot” water to body temperature.
• Feed thawed prey items immediately.
• Do not microwave or thaw prey with heat or hot water, as this can alter nutritional value and accelerate bacterial
growth causing the food to rapidly spoil.
• Never re-freeze food.
• Do not keep prey frozen for more than 4-6 months. After this time, nutritional value begins to decrease.
Place the prey item in the cage using tongs.
How often should I feed my snake?
General guidelines:
