Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have an adult Brooks kingsnake. I've fed him mice from Rodent Pro for about a year. He's over 4 feet long now and thick. I tried a number of time to switch him from jumbo mice to small rats, but he will not do it. Yes, I tried scenting the rats and waited and etc, but he won't do it. I even got him to bite a rat just after he fed on a mouse, but he wouldn't eat it.

I just brought home a bag of mice from a different source--and he wouldn't touch them when I tried to feed him today. It may be that he isn't hungry; but it provokes me to ask a question: are some Kingsnake so fickle that they'll go off feed when the source of mice is changed?

Thanks,
Scott

Good question, and I don't know if I have an actual answer! LOL!

If your brooks is not wanting to eat the rats, then I would just abide by what he is wanting to do. I personally think a small rat, if it is the same size of small rats I feed my biggest pines, bulls, and gophers, which are 5 1/2 - 6 1/2 feet long, may simply be too big of a meal for your brooks which is only over 4 foot. However, what one company calls a small rat may differ than the next company.

Also, your brooks may simply not like the smell of the rats. I would think very large adult or retired breeder/jumbo mice would be perfect for your snake. If he is thick, as you say, what you are currently feeding him may be the right thing.

He also simply may not be hungry, in terms of your new bag of mice you purchased. Wait a while and then try.
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Genesis 1:1

I'm sure he'll eat the mice again, just give him a break like Billy said, and the hunger will kick in, unless the temps have dropped in his cage. As far as switching him to rats, I purchased an adult trio who seemed to flee from the rats as if they were fearful. I had to get them to eat a mouse first then feed them rat pinky/fuzzies untill they got used to the smell. Once they were comfortable eating them I just gradually increased the size, but even today they will not take one that is too large. Each one has an opinion on what is too large, lol. If your buying your feeders this can be a bit costly at first. I breed my own rodents so it was easy for me. Also, live pinky/fuzzies are more enticing. Good luck!
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

I have several floridana that will not take rats either. I guess some snakes just don't like rats.
www.4lakessnakes.com

>>I have several floridana that will not take rats either. I guess some snakes just don't like rats.
>>www.4lakessnakes.com

It can be done, and it's worth it in the long run. One small/medium rat equals about 4 extra large mice. It is easier if you breed your own rodents though, I'll admit.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

You can try mixing the frozen rats in a tub and toss them like stir fry. this will get the mouse small on the rats and your snake should take them this way.

once you get them on scented rat. they should have no problem taking unscented rats as they imprint on this and thus recognize them as food.
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There is nothing worse than natural selection.

www.Bluerosy.com

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Your alive?
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Gerard

"I am the one the hides the universal secret of all time"

www.livebaitclip.com

GONE FISHING!!!

Your alive?

No. I am brumating along with all my snakes. I do it every year and you will see me back in the spring
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www.Bluerosy.com

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