Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have about a 3 foot gray rat. Ok here's the deal. I've had him about 3 months. When I got him he was still eating large fuzzies. He ate every week with no problem. Now I've made the switch to hoppers about 2 weeks ago. He has eaten 2 of these(one per week with no problem). Well it was feeding day today and I was expecting him to eat with no problem but that wasn't the case. I laid the hopper in his usual eating spot but he just came smelled it for about 10 seconds and then went back into his hide. So, I left it there for about 30 mins but it hadn't been touched. I teased him with it to try and get him to eat but all he did was chase it around the enclosure. Once it stopped he smelled it and then went on his way. So I ran down to the pet shop and got him a live hopper. I tried this and he seemed more interested. He chased it around for a few seconds and then he struck, constricted it, and killed it. He then smelled it for a few seconds and then he let it go and then crawled away. Can someone tell me what the problem is? Thanks.

Most likely he knows it's about time to go off feed and get ready for hibernation (brumation). He may not feed again until spring. If he has good body weight and a pretty healthy, this should be no problem at all.

Thanks. I didn't know that captive bred herps did that. I was thinking it was only wild caught that wanted to burmate. Anyway, I have about a 15 inch baby black rat snake. He is still very much a hatchling. I usually feed him one pinkie every 5 days but I was told that 2 pinks in one sitting every 5 days was better for a growing snake. Which is best because I don't want to over feed. I have about 11 years experience with snakes but I've never kept any that wanted to burmate or hatchlings. I usually trade the hatchlings for something bigger or sell them to a pet shop. Since I have my collection built up pretty good I wanted to raise on of the little guys myself. Thanks for the help.

I don't think you can overfeed hatchling Rat Snakes. If he'll take 2 pinkies every 5 days, go for it. I usually feed my hatchling colubrids every 3 days, if they will take 2 pinkies every 3 days, that's what I give them. When they get to about 18 months old or so, I start slowing the feeding back a little so they don't become obese. I switch them to frozen/thawed as soon as I can possibly get them to take it. I have a clutch of Sinaloan Milk Snakes right now (a late clutch) that shed the first time 2 weeks ago. 10 of the 12 took frozen thawed on the second feeding, they are all taking 2 1-day old pinkies every three days (two of them are still only taking live).

Thanks alot. What about a 2 foot yellow rat? He just started on hoppers. Is one a week ok or should it be more. Thanks.

A two ffoter is still a young snake in the rapid growth stage. If he'll eat every 4 or 5 days, I'd feed him that often. He will very likely go off feed soon wanting to brumate, anyway. Two hoppers every 4 or 5 days certainly isn't excessive, IMHO.