After the talk of multiple feeding items....

[ChrisBowsman]

.... I decided to get two mice for the bp today. He ignored the first one for awhile. I've only fed him a few times, so I'm still feeling out his habits. I turned out the lights to see if that would help, and it kicked him right into gear. Almost immediately, he coiled up into striking position, and nailed the mouse as soon as it got close.

After he swallowed it completely and moved around a bit, I dropped in the second one, and it barely touched down before he was on it. He downed the second one with no problem, cruised by the water bowls, and retreated to his hide.

Anyway, I'm glad for the advice about feeding multiple items, and feel bad for not allowing him to get full prior to now. Should I stick with a couple mice, since he takes them quite well, or try something a little larger? I measured him last night, and his widest point is about 1.75", so it seems a small rat wouldn't be too large.

[frankykeno]

I'd suggest if he has just taken two mice that you stick with what is working for now. This snake is still relatively new to you and a lot of changes tend to trigger stress in these shy snakes. Two mice a week should do him just fine for now I would think. If you wanted to move him to rats, I'd wait awhile, see how he goes on the 2 mice and worry about any prey switches down the road.

[ChrisBowsman]

Ok, makes sense. Two mice is actually cheaper than a small rat, too

[frankykeno]

Best advice I was ever given when it comes to feeding decisions....feed what works for you, what you can get a good top quality supply of and most importantly, what the snake will take with a strong feeding response. We've always followed that common sense advice and it's worked so far.

[ChrisBowsman]

Well, he's made it quite apparent that he'll nail mice with no problem. Considering all the stories about people with difficult eaters, I think I'll definitely stick with mice for the time being.

Does it stand to reason that when he starts acting hungry after 2 adult mice, it may be a good time to go to something bigger? Since I cannot breed my own feeders, 1 prey would be much more convenient than 3.

[Chuck]

Have you ever tried feeding rats to the little guy. If not it may take a while to get him to take to them or maybe not but I agree that you are in no hurry. Get him to eat a few more times and give it a shot.

chuck

[frankykeno]

Just remember that getting live rats of a certain size isn't always easy so make very sure you have a steady supplier before you consider a switch. Lots of folks go to rats then find much to their dismay that the local pet store doesn't always have rat pups or weans or whatever each week. Not a problem if you feed f/t but it can be a real hassle if you feed live.

If you do decide to switch the snake over to rats, especially live rats, don't jump up too much in prey size. Start with rat pups which are about equal in size to an adult mouse, then go from there. That gives the snake time to adjust and gives you time to judge how well this snake hunts. You don't want to ever toss in a live rat with a snake until you know for sure the snake is able to make the switch easily from a much smaller mouse. I like to make any switches with the snakes in a slow, measured and cautious manner.

[771subliminal]

is it just my snake or something else but my snake would never take more than one of anything that she was being fed in one feeding no matter how small the prey to how big she was, she just went off to her hide and left the 2nd alone. she is on medium rats now and if i were to give her a rat pinky she wouldnt take a 2nd one and not eat again for atleast a few days. but on the mediums she eats and is roaming as normal cple days later

just asking