Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is there any rule as to what size snake should eat what size food?
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two oregon newts
one male eastern box turtle
ten gallon tropical fish tank

It varies by snake, but usually 1 to 1.5 times the girth of the snake at its widest point.

Rflagg is right. The rule Rflagg mentioned is the general rule of thumb, it's a good referrence point to remember.

It's not always easy to find the appropriate sized prey, this is where it's best to give two smaller prey items rather than one huge prey. It's easier on the snake's digestive system and overall health. In other words, I'd rather feed a snake two small rats that each would barely leave a bulge in a snake rather than one extra large rat that leaves a bulge larger than 1.5 times the snake's normal body diameter.

Have a good one!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

>>Is there any rule as to what size snake should eat what size food?
>>-----
>>two oregon newts
>>one male eastern box turtle
>>ten gallon tropical fish tank

So if I had a snake with a diameter of 2 in., I'd give it a mouse with a 3 in. diameter? What about length?
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two oregon newts
one male eastern box turtle
ten gallon tropical fish tank

LOL, length is irrelevant, or you'd have to count the tail as well. Mike was right in that it's better for the snake to feed it a couple smaller prey items than one large one. It's easier on the digestive system . I feed something as thick as my snakes or a hair larger, in general. JMO

Quig

>>LOL, length is irrelevant, or you'd have to count the tail as well. Mike was right in that it's better for the snake to feed it a couple smaller prey items than one large one. It's easier on the digestive system . I feed something as thick as my snakes or a hair larger, in general. JMO
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>>Quig

So instead of a 3 in. wide mouse, it's better to feed two smaller 1.5 in. wide mice?
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two oregon newts
one male eastern box turtle
ten gallon tropical fish tank

It's easier on the snakes digestive system as a whole, but understand in the wild these guys are opertunists. Which means they take whatever comes along that they think they can handle, and at times will bite off more than they can chew, so to speak. If your snake is three inches thick give him a rat that thick. Once dead it'll compress a bit anyhow . If that seems to much, next time give him something smaller. Experiment a little,just don't go overboard and risk your snakes health (life).

Quig