Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Following the warm season/long daylight months when snakes are typically most active and feeding regularly, what's the feeding strategy for the cool season/short days when the snakes are less active? With juv. pits in general, do they continue to want to feed as during the warm season or do they accept food less frequently? Even with artificial lighting and heat, these guys seem to be able to sense the changing seasons and reduce their activity accordingly. Is a monthly feeding schedule more appropriate?

Trying to establish a reasonable schedule without wasting a bunch of F/T food items.

My experience is that young of year Pituophis (and even into the 2nd winter), will feed on a normal 7-10 day schedule if you keep their temp ranges in the 70's F. This is done to increase the size of young snakes by not skipping 3 to 4 months worth of meals. I generally don't see snakes self cycle unless they have been cycled in previous years. Unfortunately, I have found that I usually end up tossing out a few refused meals this time of year also. Keep good records so that you can look back and check to see when they started to cycle in previous years and also consider freezing uneaten meals and donating them to the local wildlife rehab center. Those folks usually have a few injured kestrels, great horned owls, and red tailed hawks that won't be too choosy about where the dead rodents came from.

I must say that I enjoy the break from the herp chores this time of year! I will probably squeeze a couple more meals into mine but several are already saying, "not interested" to meals so yes it is the season.

Thanks, I just started three new neos within the past month and with time, will adjust to their preferences. Nice red bull by the way...

What are the actual temps that you keep your Pits at during the summer and winter?

Thanks,
Miller

>>My experience is that young of year Pituophis (and even into the 2nd winter), will feed on a normal 7-10 day schedule if you keep their temp ranges in the 70's F. This is done to increase the size of young snakes by not skipping 3 to 4 months worth of meals. I generally don't see snakes self cycle unless they have been cycled in previous years. Unfortunately, I have found that I usually end up tossing out a few refused meals this time of year also. Keep good records so that you can look back and check to see when they started to cycle in previous years and also consider freezing uneaten meals and donating them to the local wildlife rehab center. Those folks usually have a few injured kestrels, great horned owls, and red tailed hawks that won't be too choosy about where the dead rodents came from.
>>
>>I must say that I enjoy the break from the herp chores this time of year! I will probably squeeze a couple more meals into mine but several are already saying, "not interested" to meals so yes it is the season.
>>
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1.1 Florida King
1.1 Eastern Kings
1.1 Black Milksnake
1.2 Kankakee Bull Snakes
2.2 Still Water Hypos
2.2 N. Pinesnake
0.1 Tangerine Honduran
0.0.1 Black Ratsnake
1.0 Chow Chow (2003 Papi)
0.1 Cats (Shug)