FEEDING TIPS FOR PET SNAKES
Some of the most often asked questions from snake owners on the internet are concerned with feeding, like - My snake hasn't eaten for several weeks/months what should I do? My snake investigates its food but won't feed, is there something wrong?
Because of this I have compiled a list of different techniques to try to get your snake to eat. These techniques should only be tried on a weekly basis or whenever you usually feed your snake. Constantly trying to get your snake to eat on a day to day basis is stressful for the snake and can do more harm than good.
Remember it is perfectly normal for a well fed snake to lose interest in food for a few weeks or even months on occasion and shouldn't be a cause for concern if your snake is otherwise healthy and of good weight and its environment is correct (proper temperature, humidity etc) for the species of snake in your care..
TIP 1 – Try feeding your snake something different to its usual diet. eg. For an adult Corn Snake that usually eats mice you could try rat pups, gerbils or day old chicks.
TIP 2 – If you thaw your snakes food out in water, try thawing it out naturally at room temperature. Thawing in water can diminish the foods smell somewhat.
TIP 3 – If your snake has heat sensors like a Tree Boa or Ball Python then it may help to warm the snakes food on a heat mat prior to feeding.
TIP 4 – Change the time of day that you feed your snake. Many popular pet snakes like to be fed at dusk. Research your own snakes wild feeding habits.
TIP 5 – Offer your snake food with tongs or tweezers, wriggling it close to the snakes head or dragging it slowly past the snake to get its attention. Don't hold the food too close. There is a fine line between attracting and scaring your snake. If the snake approaches, move the food away slightly to increase its interest. Lightly stroking the snakes back with a mouse has provoked a succesful strike and hold response from my snakes on several occasions.
TIP 6 – If you own a nervous snake, leave your snake undisturbed for a couple of hours after quietly placing the food in front of its hide.
TIP 7 – Leave your snake in a pillowcase inside the vivarium with the food overnight. Use a small plastic box with air holes for young snakes. This way there is nothing to distract the snakes attention from the food and the smell of the food will be stronger in the confined space.
TIP 8 – Gently misting the snakes enclosure an hour or so before feeding will sometimes increase their appetite.
TIP 9 – For snakes that haven't fed for a couple of months or more try adding an electrolyte solution (such as Electrolyze from Exo Terra) to their drinking water. This can help decrease stress, improve hydration and improve appetite.
TIP 10 – Try slicing the head of the mouse or rat open and exposing the brain. This can improve scent and will often induce a stubborn snake to feed.
TIP 11 - Some of the above tips can be combined with each other to encourage your snake to feed.
If you are concerned that your pet snake isn't feeding because it is unhealthy or your snake is getting thin, consult a vet. However most times when snakes go off food it is simply because they've had enough for the time being.
It is also normal for many species of snake such as Garter Snakes that hibernate in the wild to eat little or nothing during the winter even if the vivarium is warm. At this point you may choose to hibernate your snake or make sure it has eaten plenty in the previous months to get through this period.
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