Before choosing a pet snake, it's important to consider the specific care that's required for the species. In this article, a few of the most common types of pet snakes are outlined, with detailed information on feeding them.
What are the different Kinds of Pet Snakes?
1. Corn Snakes
They are very docile and among the first preferences for snake-keeping newbies since they are rather easy to maintain. Corn snakes come mostly in color shades starting from the classic orange through to red and the the vibrantly-splashed albinos, all in varied patterns and morphs. Corn snakes are among the most favored by snake greenhorns mainly because they are relatively easy to handle in terms of care and secondly, are of a very manageable size, growing someplace between 3-5 feet.2. Ball Python
Even-tempered species like ball pythons are best for beginners. The name "ball python" comes from the action of these snakes when defending themselves: they curl into a defensive ball. These snakes come in many morphs, so all types of colorations and patterns can be found within the species. The usual length of ball pythons is 3 to 5 feet, relatively a manageable size and suitable for most snake keepers.3. King Snake
The hardiness and versatility of King snakes make them ideal for the beginner snake keeper. Beautiful in color and pattern the black and white banded is most popular care for King snakes relatively easily. They do have a reputation of being escape artists so a very secure enclosure is a must. They are an average size of 3-6'.4. Milk Snake
One of the more visible species among pet snakes is the milk snake, just about closely related to the king snakes, that will be featuring bright red, black, and white banding. In addition to being easily taken care of, they have a very calm nature, which makes them perfect for anyone raising snakes. Milk snakes usually grow up to 2-4 feet in length, which makes it easy to take care of and feed in convenience.5. Garter Snake
Garter snakes are small, energetic, and fairly easy to care for, making them one of the best choices for people that like a great deal of activity in their pets. Color variance is usually very vibrant with garter snakes, and they grow to about 2-3 feet in length. Another interesting fact about these snakes is their wide variety of prey intake, often including mixed prey types.6. Boa Constrictor
However, the large size and strength would mandate more space and advanced care. Again, this large species really needs a big cage. Large and generally growing up to around 10 feet in captivity, boa constrictors are actually for experienced snake keepers. Amateur and professional enthusiasts enjoy keeping boa constrictors not only for their calm demeanor but also their striking appearance.7. Rosy Boa
Small snakes like the rosie boa are placid by nature and easy to handle, good for novices. They often come in pink, orange, or brown stripes. They generally average 2 to 3 feet in length and carry a docile nature, so they are quite a treat to keep and care for.8. California King Snake
The California king snake is a type of king snake, distinctive for the bright black-and-white coloring. They are considered rather easy to keep and species that are great as starter snakes. California king snakes reach sizes of 3 to 5 feet and sharply stand out for good adaptation and vigorous health.9. Rainbow Boa
Rainbow boas are easily recognized in the pet trade, primarily for their scales. This fat and tight body ensures that the iridescent colors really go boisterously into play when light bounces off them, creating a beautiful rainbow effect. This species is kept at higher levels of humidity compared to very many other species; therefore, it is recommended for keepers well established and able to regulate these kinds of environments. Rainbow boas grow on average between 4 and 6 ft and tame easily, attaining a rather docile temperament most are able to keep at manageable lengths.10. Hognose Snake
Hognose snakes are relatively small and with an upturned snout that gives them their classic namesake. Weak venom is found within its apparatus, but this venom doesn't harm human health. Generally, hognose snakes are manageable and interesting, with added interactions such as playing dead when seriously provoked. They usually reach lengths of 1.5 to 3 feet and are quite an interesting species for intermediate keepers.What to Feed Your Pet Snake?
The pet snake's diet naturally depends on the pet's species. Most snakes in captivity actually feed on large rodents proportionate to their size in number, except for some species that have more diversified diet integrals. General descriptions of commonly encountered categories of feeding are as follows
- Corn Snake: Feed mostly mice to corn snakes. Start by feeding pinkie mice to newly hatched corn snakes and increase the size as your corn snake increases in size. A grown-up corn snake should be fed 1 mouse per 7-10 days of appropriate size.
- Ball Python: Ball pythons can eat mice or rats. Start a hatchling with pinkie or fuzzy mice and advance up in size to small rats. You only need to feed an adult one appropriately-sized rodent every 1-2 weeks.
- King Snake: These snakes feed on an incredibly wide variety of food that ranges from mice and rats to birds and their eggs, at times. Feed hatchlings pinkie mice and slowly scale the size of prey with age. The adults can be fed one appropriately sized rodent per 7-10 days.
- Milk Snake: Adults should also be fed mice as well as other small rodents. Start the young with pinkie mice and just go up in the size of feeders as your snake grows. Adults can be fed one properly sized rodent once every 7-10 days.
- Garter Snake: Garter Snakes can be fed a varied diet of fish, earthworms, pinkie mice. Fish need to be parasite and chemical free. Young garter snakes should be fed every 2-3 days and adults every 5-7 days.
- Boa Constrictors: Boas require a bit larger meal, such as rats or rabbits. Begin feeding hatchlings suitably sized rodents, and move to tougher and larger prey. For the most part, adult boas can be fed a single large rodent every 2-4 weeks.
- Rosy Boa: Rosys have a naturally occurring diet of primarily mice. Hatchling Rosys can be fed pinkie mice and snake can increase in appropriate sized as they age. An adult rosy boa can be fed an appropriately sized mouse every 7-10 days.
- California King Snake: Being members of the king family, these snakes have a diet mainly of mice and other small rodents. The young should start on the size of pinkies, increasing the size as they grow in length. Feed adults one rodent every 7-10 days, at properly scaled sizes.
- Rainbow Boa: They eat many different types of prey, including mice, rats, and sometimes birds. Start with appropriately sized rodents based on the age and size of your young snake and advance to bigger prey items over time. Feed mature rainbow boas an appropriately sized rodent every 10 to 14 days.
- Hognose Snake: These are known to eat mice and amphibians. Beginners should feed small hognose snakes a diet started primarily with pink arms and parachutes of appropriate size, that gets larger as the snake grows. For an adult Hognose snake, a single mouse of the correct size should be fed every 7-5 days.
Understanding the nutritional requirement of your specific pet snake will allow you to give it a balanced diet and, therefore, allow it to thrive in captivity. You should always be sure the prey is of appropriate size and harmless to your snake and know a reptile veterinarian whom you can contact in case of a problem with the diet of your pet.
10 Best Foods to Feed Your Pet Snake
Your pet snake gets much of its good health by providing them with the right kind of food. The best 10 foods that you can give to your snake are listed below, with the instructions on how to feed them.1. Frozen/Thawed Mice
Frozen/thawed mice are a regular part of the diet of most pet snakes. They are convenient and reduce the likelihood of causing injury to your snake due to the absence of live prey.How to Feed
- Obtain frozen mice from a known source. To use, simply place a mouse in a plastic bag and soak it in warm water until it is at room temperature.
- Alternatively, put it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw slowly.
- Make sure the mouse is fully thawed before feeding, as feeding on frozen prey can lead to health problems.
- Use the tongs and pick up the mouse by the tail, and gently wiggle a few wiggles in front of the snake to mimic live prey.
- When the snake strikes and eats, it should just be left alone to eat.
2. Frozen/Thawed Rats
Descriptive: Frozen-thawed rats are suitable for larger snakes that like to eat bigger portions. They are well-balanced nutritionally and come in a variety of sizes, from pinkie to adult, to complement the growth stages of your snake.How to Feed
- Thaw them exactly like mice, ensuring the rat is fully defrosted and at room temperature.
- Offer the rat to your snake with the use of feeding tongs, holding it by the tail.
- Gently wiggle the rat so that it moves around a bit, imitating the ongoing activities of live prey.
- Allow your snake to strike and take down the rat in his own time.
3. Live Mice
Some snakes display a preference for live prey, and live mice additionally provide the mental stimulation they need. Last but not least, there lies a risk by offering live prey, so it is of great care in that the prey might fight back and may inflict injury on the snake.
How to Feed
- Purchase live mice at any pet store. Always attend your snake when you are feeding him.
- The rodent could actually wound the snake.
- Put the live mouse into the enclosure with the snake and then step back to be at a safe viewing distance.
- The snake necessarily should strike, squeeze his meal, and then look to eat the mouse.
- If he doesn't eat the mouse because it wasn't interested in it, or the mouse acted aggressively, then simply remove the mouse and try again later using the alternative thawed alternative, to be quite straight.
4. Live Rats
Live rats are ideal for the substantial type, suitable for bigger snakes. These offer a more vivid hunting experience, but at the same time, these hazards are strongly increased.How to Feed
- As with feeding live mice, be sure to monitor the snake throughout the entire process.
- Place the live rat in the cage with the snake being certain to watch the feeding at all times.
- Make sure that the rat is the proper size for your snake.
- If the rat becomes aggressive or your snake shows no interest, remove it immediately and consider a frozen/thawed alternative to avoid injury to your snake.
5. Frozen/Thawed Chicks
Frozen/thawed chicks can act as a dietary variety once in a while for your snake. These are suitable for medium to large sized snakes.How to Feed
- Thaw your chick, following the same instructions for a mouse or rat, and bring it to room temperature.
- Offer the chick to the snake using the feeding tongs and the leg support.
- Make the chick gently swim around the snake in live prey movements.
- Allow the snake to strike and eat the chick at its own speed, and avoid handling immediately afterward.
6. Frozen/Thawed Quail
Another great choice in adding some variety to your snake's diet are frozen/thawed quail. They are nutritious and suitable for larger snakes.How to Feed
- The same as you would with all frozen prey items, ensure it is fully defrosted and is slightly warmed.
- Grasp the quail be it holding on to the legs or grasping around its wings with feeding tongs and offer it to the snake.
7. Fish (For Garter Snakes)
Fresh, unprocessed fish can make great supplements for garter snakes, as they have a high metabolic rate and eat wide varieties in the wild. Just make sure that the fish has not become infested with any parasites or chemicals.How to Feed
- Provide small-sized whole fish such as guppies or minnows.
- You can either gently place the fish into the water bowl with the snake, or you can use the feeding tongs to present the fish. Observe the snake feed to ensure that it swallows the entire fish.
- Remove any left-over fish to prevent water contamination.
8. Crickets (For Smaller Snakes)
Crickets make good, non-routine food for smaller snakes that have a desire for insects. Providing protein and variety in the diet.
Feeding Method
- Purchase some crickets from a pet store; typically, pet stores house crickets, so getting some won't be a problem.
- Sprinkle some calcium supplement powder into the container holding the crickets.
- Re-fill the container with crickets and watch in amazement how your snake hunts yet somehow manages to eat them.
- Discard any crickets your snake hasn't consumed.
9. Earthworms (For Smaller Snakes)
Earthworms would be a second bug choice for small species like garter snakes: nutritious and easily digested.
How to Feed
- Collect earthworms from a chemical-free garden or purchase them from a pet store.
- Rinse the worms thoroughly to remove any dirt.
- Place the earthworms in the snake's enclosure and observe as your snake hunts and consumes them.
- Remove any uneaten worms to maintain enclosure hygiene.
10. Commercial Feed for Snakes
There are commercially available balanced nutritionally prepared snake foods. They are come in pellets or blocks.
Feeding Method
- Commercial foods for snakes should be prepared and fed according to the package instructions.
- Some commercial diets may need to be soaked or shredded to appropriate sizes.
- Place the prepared food into the snake's containment area and stand back as it grabs and swallows the new food item.
- Commercial diets should only be used as occasional alternatives to the whole prey items your snake should be fed.
Conclusion
Providing your pet snake with a varied and well-balanced diet contributes to its health and general well-being. Prey items, whether fed frozen/thawed or live, should always be of an appropriate size and not injure your snake. Following these feeding techniques and offering a variety of food will help your pet snake to flourish and enjoy a long, healthy life.
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