Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 2-year-old corn snake that's about 3 feet long. She was eating one adult mouse a week until about a month ago when I upped her to 2. What was happening was that she was eating her mouse, then trying to go after the other mice in a little plastic box next to the feeding box (both are clear). So I started feeding her 2. She snarfs them both down like nobody's business, and I get the impression she would eat more if I offered it. Should I start giving her 3? Maybe start feeding every 5 days instead of every 7? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Listen to your snake, and yoou'll get a good feel for what is right. Every snake is different. Maybe 3 will be enough? Maybe feeding more often? Maybe switch to small rats? Just keep a watch on it's weight, and don't let it get too fat. If it's a female and is bred every year then she will use the extra weight for breeding. Males can go off feed for weeks even months so, I feed them when they're hungry. Just use some good sense.
-----
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

>>I have a 2-year-old corn snake that's about 3 feet long. She was eating one adult mouse a week until about a month ago when I upped her to 2. What was happening was that she was eating her mouse, then trying to go after the other mice in a little plastic box next to the feeding box (both are clear). So I started feeding her 2. She snarfs them both down like nobody's business, and I get the impression she would eat more if I offered it. Should I start giving her 3? Maybe start feeding every 5 days instead of every 7? Any advice would be much appreciated.

it's kind of like putting food next to me....I may not need it but it sure is hard to pass up when it's right there. If the mice are kept that close to the snake he will obviously be able to smell them....move the mice....I personally wouldn't go over two mice a week. In the wild a snake will eat all it can find when it can find it..such as a whole nest of baby mice, or baby squirrels or a nest of bird eggs...and yes corns like other rat snakes can and do eat bird eggs, but the point is they eat everything in front of them because the next meal may be a long time coming. In captivity you can't really let "them" dictate their feeding schedule..that is your job. You need to regulate their feeding. Just like humans, dogs, cats or anything else, too much can be detrimental to their health.
my two cents

-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes...No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
Draybars Snakes

>>>>I have a 2-year-old corn snake that's about 3 feet long. She was eating one adult mouse a week until about a month ago when I upped her to 2. What was happening was that she was eating her mouse, then trying to go after the other mice in a little plastic box next to the feeding box (both are clear). So I started feeding her 2. She snarfs them both down like nobody's business, and I get the impression she would eat more if I offered it. Should I start giving her 3? Maybe start feeding every 5 days instead of every 7? Any advice would be much appreciated.
>>
>>
>>
>>it's kind of like putting food next to me....I may not need it but it sure is hard to pass up when it's right there. If the mice are kept that close to the snake he will obviously be able to smell them....move the mice....I personally wouldn't go over two mice a week. In the wild a snake will eat all it can find when it can find it..such as a whole nest of baby mice, or baby squirrels or a nest of bird eggs...and yes corns like other rat snakes can and do eat bird eggs, but the point is they eat everything in front of them because the next meal may be a long time coming. In captivity you can't really let "them" dictate their feeding schedule..that is your job. You need to regulate their feeding. Just like humans, dogs, cats or anything else, too much can be detrimental to their health.
>>my two cents
>>
>>
>>
>>-----
>>Corn snakes and rat snakes...No one can have just one.
>>"Resistance is futile"
>>Jimmy Johnson
>>Draybars Snakes

I agree with you totally! Two mice a week should be plenty! It's hard for me to answer these questions sometimes cause there are so many variables. The size of the mice, and weather or not the snake will be bred has a lot of importance. I vary quite a bit with my feedings, because I raise my own rodents. So some months I may not have enough to feed all of them like i would like and then other months I have an explosion of rodents and can stuff them. But if I had a steady supply, 2 adult mice a week would be perfect, for a 3 foot or bigger corn snake. I do have a few large beast that I feed small rats, but those are the exeptions. But as you mentioned the important thing is to keep a watch on their weight and don't over do it. By the way waht is that snake you posted? It's gorgeous! You may have mentioned it before, but I'm not sure.
-----
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

Jorge,
I don't know what's going on...I can't respond to you post directly so I responded above then I came back down to this thread and realized I could respond through my post.
just to repeat I knew we were both basically trying to say the same thing we just worded our responses differently and cam around to the same point from different directions..
"work out what works for you and your snake but don't over feed it"
lol
and to answer your question that is one of my motley creamsicles.
pretty for a mutt, huh?
one of last year's hatchlings

-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes...No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
Draybars Snakes

Awesome. Two opposite bits of advice. As far as the mice being right there, I don't do that anymore, I keep them well away from the feeding container. I'm thinking I'll offer her more and then just make sure she doesn't get fat. Thanks for the feedback.

Both Jimmy and Jorge's methods of feeding work for them, so while it was contradictory it also was correct ...For what its worth, and jmho, I feed females who are breeding once a week, non breeding females 7-10 days and adult males one big ol' mouse every 7-14 days, with more 14 day breaks than 7...Works, for me :*)

Thanks I didn't mean to sound snippy...I think I just need to figure out my snake and what's best for her by trial and error, basically. But I do appreciate the feedback.

>>Thanks I didn't mean to sound snippy...I think I just need to figure out my snake and what's best for her by trial and error, basically. But I do appreciate the feedback.

I think we both had the same end in mind with our seemingly different answers...the main thing we both stressed was you don't want an obese or unhealthy snake. When I said, DON'T let the snake dictate it's feeding schedule, I meant don't let it's appetite dictate it's feeding schedule, they will eat more then they truly need.
When he said to let the snake guide you towards it's feeding schedule I think he meant look at the snake..let it's physical condition guide you...
I think we both meant to express concern on over feeding.
be careful, have fun and work towards a schedule that works for you and you snake.
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes...No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
Draybars Snakes

What is in this one?
-----
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

>>What is in this one?
>>-----
>>King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
>> Jorge Sierra
>>
>>My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

it's a hatchling motley creamsicle
the one pictured in the previous post is how they turn out.
motley creamsicle: corn snake/emoryi rat snake cross expressing the amel and motley genes
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes...No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
Draybars Snakes

I have to say that is a very attractive snake! Congrats Jimmy!
-----
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com