Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a three month old white oak grey rat snake that will not constrict its prey. I feed it live pinkies and it eats them alive. The pet shop told me it may do this because it is use to feeding on thawed pinkies. I thought snakes would constrict there prey no matter what to be on the safe side. Will it ever constrict its prey again?

Okay first off why are you wanting to feed it live prey? If it's eating f/t perfectly fine, I would keep it on f/t. As pinkies and such there should be no problem with the mouse attacking back, but as they grow you could wind up with the prey attacking the snake before you can even do anything about it. AND YOU HAVE TO STAY BY THE CAGE NO MATTER WHAT. Don't make me post the picture about the irresponsible $#$#@%#^@$# that left that live rat in with his ball python for god only knows how long and the damn rat ate the snake... This IS due to owner messups but you have to MAKE SURE you are not that type of owner. I know people who have kept a rat in the same tank with a snake for over a month. I saw it, whacked its head and the snake ate it right up. You can't leave live prey in with your snake for extended periods of time. And you have to be ready to pay for the vet bills. As I said, they can attack before you can get to them. Even a scratch or something from a rat claw can wind you a $200 trip to the vet. It's eating f/t, keep it on f/t if you want my opinion.

But the reason he's not constricting is because its not a threat to him. When they get larger he will constrict, rather it be a f/t or live. I have a black rat snake that eats f/t and has constricted everything since he was on pinkies. If you are just obsessed with seeing it squeeze, wait til it grows some then feed it with a pair of tongs. Hang the thawed mouse by its tail and your snake will attack as if it was alive.
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Chondros and colubrids... my 2 favorite types of snakes!

"Life is hard. Life is harder if you're stupid." - John Wayne

Get him back on f/t before he graduates to larger prey. As he (and his prey items) get larger, he may begin to constrict even f/t. Many of mine will wrap around the f/t if I give it a little "shake" as it's being offered. But you may as well switch back over...Besides, in the long run it's much easier and more economical to have mice in the freezer (unless you are breeding them yourself). Duffy

F/T is the way to go. There is no reason to feed your pet snake live mice when it will take F/T. Baby American Rat Snakes always eat their pinkies live. I can't tell you why, but that is what they do.

I hardly ever post here but if you can't do frozen thawed, then kill them yourself. Due to my current living situation (i.e. girlfriend) I cannot have mice in the freezer. She's cool with everything else but that. Anyway, I kill mine, then like someone said in an earlier post, give them a very gentle tug while they have it in their mouth, this usually signals the "kill" response. I have a baby blood right now that just lightly takes mice out of my hand. I can't get her to strike to save my life. Anyway, it is kind of a good thing that the feeding response is so refined. Most snakes take years to learn that they don't have to strike at everything moving to get fed. Think of it as a blessing, and don't feed live prey to anything. Good luck, Eric-

Im still kinda new to all of this too, but I'll put my 2 bits in. My 04 w/c black rat went right to f/t with no problem. I have never seen her constrict anything. She is eating 4 fuzzies a week with no problem. She is a little over 30" now and I believe that bigger food items are in store for her soon. She will take the food from my hand or just move it around with her nose (snout or what ever snake term I need to use). She does this until she gets it situated and usually eats tail first. I assume that is ok. I hope that wont be a problem with bigger food. I do try to get her to swallow head first, but it is usually in vein. Either way, f/t is the way to go!
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Jason