Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering, how many mouse pinkies should a 3 year old ribbon snake be eatting and how often? I finally got my ribbon to accept pinkies. She actually left her fish and just ate one scented pinkie. Should I try to feed her another? Here's a pic of her...

I recently moved her to a 38 gallon vivarium and she seems to be much happier.

I give mine 2-3 pinks a week depending on size.
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Dan

0.1 Spotted Python
2.2 Variuos Corns
1.1 Prairie Ringnecks
1 Black Swamp Snake
1 Northern Water Snake
1 Florida Water Snake
1 Banded Water Snake
1 Rough Green Snake
1 Goini King
1 Rosy Rat
1 Scarlet Snake
1 Wandering Garter
1 Blue Stripe Garter
2.0 Blue Stripe Ribbons
0.1 Peninsula Ribbon
1.6 Leopard Geckos

K...I'll see if she'll eat some more, soon. I don't think 2 medium goldfish and one pinkie will last her the week

Also...If they're adult ribbons, can you feed them something larger? I mean, the pinkie didn't even show up in her belly. At the widest point, without stretching, I'd say she could take at least a large pinkie or maybe, a fuzzy. Should I try for that or just stay with what she's eatting? I'm worried she might not eat mice, regularly. This was her first time eatting one in the entire time I've had her.

I'd take it slow, and get consistent pinky eating, and then work your way a bit larger if you'd like.

Ian

Alrighties. Thanks!

Well, she took her second pinkie, tonight. I've put 1 fish in there to get her interested, along with the pinkie. Worked like a charm I'll try giving her 3, next week. 2 still seems to be too small for her. I'd measure her if I could, but she's too skittish. She's probably a good 2 1/2-3 ft long.

If you can get your Ribbon to take pinks I would dispense with feeding it fish at all. You may have to continue scenting for awhile. I have an adult Ribbon that has been on f/t pinks for several years. I feed it about one lg pink a week and the snake holds good weight and appears in excellent health. It takes the pinks unscented but I do wet them. I place the wet pink in front of the snakes hide and it is usually eaten unobserved within a half hour. I could never get my Ribbon to take a small fuzzy or to eat two pinks in a single feeding.
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Randy Hallman
Firehouse Herps

I dunno if 1 pinkie a week would hold her. I mean, she's almost 3 ft long. She ate 2 pinkies and 2 guppies in one sitting. I realize they're prone to overeatting, but she's a good weight and she used to eat 12 feeder goldfish of good size, before now.

Feeder fish have very little nutritional value compared to rodents. I would not even bother with guppies considering the size of your Ribbon. Fish are also prone to transmit parasites to snakes where rodents are not. If your snake is currently healthy and of good weight, use that as a standard. Try a couple of pinkies a week in one sitting, one pinkie every 5 days, or some similiar formula and watch your snake for any weight loss or other signs it may need an increase in diet. Adjust the amount and frequency as needed to maintain good health. I do think you are on the right path.

Will do. She took 3 pinkies, last week, in 2 sittings. That seemed to be a good amount for her, but I'll keep an eye on her. I'm hoping she'll take them without me having to put any fish in there, soon. She seem to only attack food when it's moving or when she acccidentally grabs it. Oh well. I'm sure she'll figure it out, eventually. Thanks