Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have fed my newborn 1 pinkie on 2 occasions since her first shed, which was 5 days ago. She inhaled them promptly. Now I've read in the book on Pine Snakes (and other pituophis)by the leading pet book publishers that newborns should be given a meal of "5 pinkies or 3 fuzzies" every 5 days.

I've looked at tons of care sheets and they all say WHAT to feed them and HOW OFTEN to feed them but not HOW MUCH to feed them.

Is the book correct? Should I feed her that much?

Thanks in advance!

Well, I would usually take it easy at least the first 5 feedings, but after that they will readily eat several at a time, although I don't think I've ever fed more than three. If you're feeding appropriate sized items, I don't think it's necessary to feed that many. If it's big enough to handle 5 pinkies, they can proabbly handle larger fuzzies and only 1 or 2 will do. Some WILL just eat and eat and eat and act like they're still hungry, so use your own judgement - you can tell if they're maintaining good weight and growing decently. Some people strive to get a 1 y.o. 4' snake I guess, but I don't see the sense in it. Also, I'm not sure what kind of gophers you have, but I think Capes, Pacifics, and SDs do not handle such "power feeding" as well as Sonorans, Bulls, and Pines.
P&S Pituophis

Yeah, I'm not interested in "power-feeding" it at all. It just struck me as odd that a seemingly reputable book would say to feed it that much. That conflicts with what I've seen in this forum. I think I'll go with 2 pinkies or one fuzzy every few days and closely watch her shape to make sure shes getting enough.

I actually think that one fuzzy every 2 days or so is too much. I would give one good meal once a week, IMO.

Yeah...I also know exactly what you are referring to in the book that W.P. Mara wrote. I love the book cause the pics but there is some info in there that has made pit lovers I know kinda disagree with. But...getting back to this issue..Trying feeding your baby gopher one good fuzzy a week for starters. See how big the lump is..it can be bigger than the biggest girth but not too obnoxiously big. Heck..the snake may be able to do two fuzzies at one time. But..see how it does with either once a week or once every five days or so.

That way you are not speed feeding it but it still is on a good growth rate.

Billy
-----
Genesis 1:1

I agree with Billy that weekly feedings are fine for juvenile Pituophis. They don't have the metabolism of an indigo and there is really no need to feed them that often.

When that book refers to feeding Pituophis they are painting with too wide of a brush. You really can't compare feeding some of the of the mexican pines and gophers with some of the larger bodied pits like the northerns and blacks. While some gophers may tolerate being fed that often, you are greatly increasing your chances of causing a regurge which can lead to serious problems with Pit hatchlings. (and as the snake grows older this kind of feeding will lead to obesity)

Feed a sensible size meal once a week (one that doesn't leave a huge bulge in your snake and your snake doesn't have to struggle with too much to get down). Probably 1-2 small fuzzies every week will be a good place to start. As the snake grows you can adjust the amount or size of the prey offered at each meal.
Good luck,
Chris

Mine tend to let me know when they are ready by being more active, taking more interest when someone walks by. Five to seven days seems right to me. When they go off feed (shed cycle) they may skip eating for ten days to two weeks.

Mike B

bullsnakes, new hatchlings included, are generally voracious feeders and often get big quick! nothing seems to bother them. pines and gophers are definitely less so inclined & will regurg if pushed [esp. when heated]. they are just more delicate, slower growers which require more patience, restraint & lower temps to raise properly...........imho.