What Should You Feed Your Pet Snake? A Guide To Keeping Your Slithery Roommate Happy

So, you brought home a pet snake. Congratulations! You now have a roommate who doesn't pay rent, doesn't complain about the Wi-Fi, and has absolutely no interest in your cooking skills. But there is one thing your snake does care about: food.

Unlike dogs and cats, snakes don't need a bowl of kibble sitting around all day. They have a much more... adventurous approach to dinner. Before you panic, don't worry, you don't need to become a professional mouse chef. Feeding a pet snake can actually be pretty simple once you understand what your particular snake needs.

Rodents: For many commonly kept snakes, rodents such as mice and rats are the main course. Depending on the snake's species and size, meals can range from tiny pinky mice for young snakes to larger rats for bigger snakes.

The general rule is that the prey should be an appropriate size for your snake. You don't want to serve your little noodle a meal that looks like it could qualify for a Thanksgiving feast. On the other hand, feeding a giant snake microscopic meals isn't exactly going to keep it satisfied.

Frozen-thawed prey is often recommended for pet snakes because it eliminates many of the risks associated with live prey. It also means you aren't turning feeding time into a tiny wildlife documentary in your living room.

Frequency Of Feeding: Here's where snake ownership gets wonderfully different from owning a dog. Your snake isn't going to stare at you at 6 p.m. with dramatic eyes because dinner is three minutes late.

Snakes generally eat much less frequently than mammals. Young snakes may need meals more often while they are growing, while adult snakes may eat every couple of weeks or sometimes even less frequently, depending on the species, age, size, and individual snake.

Always research the feeding schedule for your specific species. A ball python, corn snake, boa, and other species can have different nutritional needs and feeding habits.

Other Food: Some snakes do! Rodents aren't the universal menu item for every species.

Depending on the species, snakes may eat birds, fish, amphibians, insects, eggs, or other appropriately sized prey. This is why knowing your snake's species is extremely important. You wouldn't want to discover that your snake has been expecting a seafood dinner while you've been proudly offering the same frozen mouse every week.

Live Prey: Live prey can pose risks to pet snakes. A frightened mouse or rat can bite or scratch a snake, potentially causing serious injuries. For that reason, many keepers choose frozen-thawed prey instead.

If you're using frozen prey, it should be properly thawed and warmed before feeding. Never microwave the prey or cook it like you're preparing dinner for yourself. Your snake may be an important member of the family, but that doesn't mean it needs a tiny rodent casserole.

Supplements: Most healthy snakes eating an appropriate, whole-prey diet generally receive the nutrients they need from their prey. However, nutritional requirements can vary between species and individual animals.

If you're unsure whether your snake needs supplementation, it's best to ask a reptile-experienced veterinarian rather than sprinkling random vitamins on dinner and hoping for the best. Your snake may have approximately three facial expressions, but its nutritional needs can still be surprisingly complicated.

Fresh Water: Food is important, but water is just as essential. Your snake should have access to clean, fresh water in a sturdy dish.

Some snakes enjoy soaking in their water dish, which means your carefully placed drinking bowl may occasionally become a miniature reptile swimming pool. If your snake decides to redecorate, simply clean and refresh the water regularly.

Bottom Line: Feeding a pet snake doesn't have to be complicated. Start by learning exactly what your snake's species needs, choose appropriately sized prey, follow a suitable feeding schedule, and provide clean water.

And remember: your snake may not wag its tail, purr, or perform an enthusiastic happy dance when you bring dinner. It may simply stare at you with its mysterious little snake face and then disappear into the shadows.

That's okay.

It's basically the reptile version of saying, “Dinner accepted. Please leave me alone now.”